TMNT
Written by
Kevin Munroe
Created by
Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
First Draft Polish
August 5, 2005
FADE IN:
EXT. STAR-FILLED SKY - NIGHT 1
Studio logo transitions into a CONSTELLATION in space. Cam
pulls BACK, as more stars enter frame, forming a starfield.
SPLINTER (V.O.)
A sensei once counseled a grief-
stricken boy, as his older brother
3
prepared to leave for battle.
N STARS - Begin to see a DOZEN or so stars, almost forming a
zig-zagged line. Cam continues to adjust.
SPLINTER (V.O.)
.
He said, "Child, why do you cry?
You are both part of a family. And
a family is a bond that cannot be
broken by war. By strife. By force
or neglect.
N STARS - Cam slows its truck-out to a gradual stop as we
see the pattern beginning to form. As if following the stars'
pattern, the CAM LOWERS as we find ourselves going into-
S
2 2
EXT. SOUTH AMERICAN JUNGLE - CONTINUOUS
PLINTER (V.O.)
And more importantly, you are
brothers. And brothers you shall
remain, despite time... argument...
O
LOWER - framing the tops of JUNGLE, moonlit and surrounded by
mist. A mountain range peaks over the horizon.
SPLINTER
..and even... distance.
SUPER TITLE: SOME STINKING JUNGLE IN SOUTH AMERICA
CAM RESTS atop an old CHURCH ROOF. The peaceful scene is
suddenly stopped by a MACHINE GUN BURST! CAM CRANES over the
O
roof revealing -
3
EXT. JUNGLE VILLAGE - CONTINUOUS
A relatively modern village... for a remote jungle. Dawn is
JUST barely beginning to break. The morning mist persists as
we see FOUR FEDERALES with machine guns surrounding a group
of VILLAGERS.
O
N GROUND - A WOMAN VILLAGER is thrown down. Her SON, 8, runs
1
to her side. She's mad. Her son cries.
2.
WOMAN VILLAGER
You monsters!
UP ANGLE - As we see the THREE FEDERALES, greasy men, holding
AK-47's, and looking down with hardened indifference. OS, we
hear an EVIL CHUCKLE. The men part as we see-
- COL. PANTERA. A bottom-heavy disgusting pig of a man walks
up between them. Pantera leans down, face to face with her.
PANTERA
We appreciate the generous donation
for the continued protection of
your village.
ANGLE ON - Their jeep, overflowing with the Village's
precious crops.
WIDER - A tiny group (10) of other villagers stand at a safe
distance. The Woman's HUSBAND runs forward. He immediately
LUNGES at Pantera, just as-
-SHIKA-SHIKA - Pantera is flanked by 3 MACHINE GUNS pointed
at the Husband's chest. Pantera slothfully grins. He leans
forward and yanks an HEIRLOOM NECKLACE from her neck.
PANTERA
After all, the jungle can be a very
dangerous place. BAH-HAHAHAHA.
They jump into the Jeep and tear into the jungle LAUGHING.
EXT. JUNGLE ROAD - MOMENTS LATER
4 4
The jeep clamors down the bumpy makeshift path. Pantera sits
in the passenger seat as the others are crammed in around the
food. The Jungle looms ominous around them.
H
IGH ANGLE - As we watch the jeep from the jungle ceiling
high above... as if from someone's POV.
ON DRIVER - He suddenly reacts to a fallen tree on the road
ahead. Slams on the brakes. Pantera is thrown around.
PANTERA
Idiota! Watch where you're going!
DRIVER SOLIDER
There's a log on the road, senor.
(quietly to himself)
...that wasn't there an hour ago.
PANTERA
Well, what are you waiting for?!
REMOVE IT!
(to soldiers behind)
Cortez! Andelay!
B
J
3.
CORTEZ leaps out. Grabs the winch from the front of the jeep
and pulls it to the log, roughly 15 feet away.
EEP POV - Pantera and Driver barely notice the out-of-focus
bg Cortez get suddenly YANKED out of scene!
CORTEZ (O.S.)
...yirk!
ON DRIVER - His eyes go wide. Trying to see in the dark.
DRIVER SOLIDER
(softly, nervous)
D-d-dios mio.
ON LOG - Cortez is gone. Pantera wakes up.
PANTERA
What?! WHAT IS IT?!
OS - Hear the sound of a CHAIN clinking. Then WHOOSHING as
the chain winch suddenly FLIES IN, and CRACKS the BURLY
SOLDIER across the jaw! It wraps itself around his neck.
Before he can react...
- YOINK! He gets pulled over the hood of the jeep, landing on
the ground HARD.
URLY SOLDIER
OOF!
Burly gets pulled backward... away from the Jeep and into...
the darkness. He SCREAMS the entire way, clawing the ground.
ON JEEP - Driver is freaking out now. Last Soldier is in the
back. Pantera stands up in the jeep. "Last" jumps out and
readies his machine gun.
PANTERA
(to Jungle)
WHO ARE YOU?! SHOW YOURSELF!!
DRIVER SOLIDER
(WHISPER)
...The Ghost of the Jungle.
PANTERA
What?!
DRIVER SOLDIER
(
shaking/nervous)
The jungle god that punishes those
who prey upon the weak.
(looks scared to Pantera)
He's coming... for us.
O
P
I
4.
OS NOISE - Suddenly hear the whooshing of 4 quick punches,
kicks, a short machine gun burst and a WHUMP. Pantera and
Driver look to the ground.
ON GROUND - Last Soldier lays beaten on the jungle floor.
DRIVER SOLIDER
I'm sorry, senor.
Driver bounds out of the Jeep and runs SCREAMING into the
jungle. CAM PULLS BACK with him as Pantera shrinks in bg.
PANTERA
COWARD!! GET BACK HERE!!
Something suddenly skitters behind Pantera! He turns to look.
Nothing. He reaches down and pulls up... a MACHETE.
PANTERA
SHOW YOURSELF! DO YOU REALIZE WHO
YOU'RE DEALING WITH?!
ON PANTERA - He circles backs against the Jungle wall, trying
to find him. Tense. Suddenly-
-a PAIR OF WHITE EYES open in the blackness behind him!
n a quick series of shots we see Pantera getting the raw end
of a flurry of fist and foot attacks. His attacker is moving
way too fast for the camera to keep up.
Pantera falls back, panting heavily. Panicked. He tears off
into the dense Jungle!
ON PANTERA RUNNING THROUGH JUNGLE - Thick foliage. Panicked.
EXT. JUNGLE CLEARING - CONTINUOUS
5 5
An oasis of calm, violated by this sweating, machete-
clutching brute. He stumbles, then stands in the middle.
ANTERA
I am not afraid of a myth!
(eyes darting)
A
I'M NOT AFRAID OF A GHOST!
TTACKER (O.S.)
Actually... it's "Turtle", pal.
Pantera swings around. Eyes wide.
N ATTACKER - We pan up the thick green legs. Muscular and
strong. Further up. Arms to match. Rough skin. It wears a
shorn HOODED PONCHO. Inside are two white eyes and gritted
smiling teeth.
The poncho falls to the ground.
5.
ON ATTACKER - It's LEONARDO! Beaten blue bandana blowing in
the breeze. Total hero shot. He pulls out a SINGLE KATANA
SWORD, poised for battle. Pantera's backed into a corner.
PANTERA
Let's see if a ghost can die, then.
Pantera SCREAMS and runs to Leo and starts swinging! At the
CLASH of sword and machete, we-
SMASH CUT TO:
6 6
EXT. JUNGLE VILLAGE - MOMENTS LATER
The Boy is still at the Village Clearing. Suddenly -
- the sound of the JEEP begins to rumble in the distance! The
villagers panic and scatter. VROOM! The Jeep flies out of the
jungle and bounce-slows into the FG!
Only there is no one driving it... and it still has the
stolen food in it. And the stolen medallion dangles from the
rear view mirror.
WOMAN VILLAGER
It's a miracle!
The village rejoices. The Boy steps aside for a beat, looks
back at the Jungle. Something catches his eye.
...a small crouched figure on a tree branch. Barely
silhouetted. His white eyes lit in the darkness. One of them
WINKS as the boy smiles.
B
OY VILLAGER
(beaming... softly)
The Ghost of the Jungle.
INT. UNDERGROUND CAVERN - LATER
7 7
Leo leaps into frame. He takes out his katanas and lays them
carefully on the ground. He KNEELS, head bowed, eyes closed.
LEONARDO
My training is now complete.
The camera lifts away from Leo... and then PLUNGES into the
nearby CAVERN. MUSIC begins to swell. Cam travels a few feet
until it DIPS TO BLACK, and comes up beginning our-
OPENING CREDIT SEQUENCE
E
T
6.
8 8
INT. MISCELLANEOUS SEWER, OIL AND IRRIGATION PIPES
The music is in full tilt as the camera travels through
seemingly miles of underground pipes of all types and design.
he camera comes to the end of line. It rises up through
9 STEAM... then through a metal grate, as we find ourselves in-
EXT. NEW YORK CITY STREET - NIGHT 9
A mouse-level shot of the spectacular city that never sleeps.
It's oddly hypnotic. Still. Until...
- BAM! A pair of sneakers land barely in front of the camera,
tearing off into the distance.
NYPD #1 (O.S.)
FREEEZE! STOP OR WE'LL SHOOT!
Shoes belong to a panicked MUGGER, early 20's, as THREE NYPD
OFFICERS clamor after him. The Mugger is a jackrabbit -
hopping newspaper machines, rolling under passing trucks and
doing anything he can to avoid arrest.
ventually the NYPD peter out. The mugger looks back. Smiles.
MUGGER
Heh, heh... suckers.
ON MUGGER - His eyes suddenly go wide as - VROOOOOM! - we see
a jet-black tweaked out motorcycle fly over the cops' heads,
aiming directly for Mugger!
MUGGER
Whaaa!!!
The Mugger runs, but can't escape. The Driver is dressed in
all-black motorcycle leathers and black-visored helmet. Scary
and faceless. He quickly gains on the Mugger and GRABS him by
the collar in mid-stride!
MUGGER
You crazy?! Put me down, man!
But Driver doesn't. Instead, he holds him lower without
stopping the bike... and proceeds to plow Mugger's head into
every trash can and garbage bin along 9th Avenue!
MUGGER
OW! HEY! WHAT'RE YOU-OW!! OOF!
Just as it looks like he'll hit a telephone pole... Driver
veers left! He drags the Mugger into...
O
A
7.
10 10
EXT. DEAD END ALLEYWAY - CONTINUOUS
Driver tosses him onto the ground at full speed. Mugger
SLIDES down the alley and collides with a pile of garbage
like he's a human bowling ball.
ON HEAD OF ALLEY - The Driver guns the bike and kicks up a
ton of dust and racket, peeling donuts at mouth of the alley.
And then he stops. Dust slowly settles and smoke dissipates.
MUGGER
Wh-wh-what kinda freak are you?!
The Driver gets off the bike. Silence. Backlit by headlight.
He walks directly to the Mugger with purpose. Mugger starts
to really freak out. Driver picks him up by the collar and
SLAMS him to the back WOODEN FENCE WALL.
MUGGER
P-p-please. Don't kill me, man.
Driver just cocks his head. Mugger can see his own terrified
reflection his Driver's black visor. Driver reaches behind
his back and pulls out a COMBAT KNIFE! He reels back and...
MUGGER
Wh-wha-wha-WHAT ARE YOU DOI- AAAGH!
W
HAM! - Driver nails the dagger through the Mugger's JACKET,
PINNING HIM TO THE WALL. Driver turns around to gather the
purse's belongings at the mouth of the alley.
fter he stops cringing, the Mugger wriggles the blade out of
the wall. Driver doesn't notice as - THWIP-IP-IP! - he hurls
the knife at the Driver!
THUNK! It sticks in the DRIVER'S BACK!
N MUGGER - His grinning eyes suddenly GO WIDE as Driver
slowly turns around, UNHURT! The Mugger is trapped as Driver
moves toward him... and a BOLO CHAIN drops to his side.
ON WALL SHADOW - as we see a flurry of punches, kicks and
throws as Driver lays a beating on the criminal who needs to
be taught a lesson. An OS Police Siren chirps.
MOUTH OF ALLEY - The police suddenly show up, cherries
flashing. They run to FG, mouths drop.
NYPD #1
...whoa.
NYPD #2
The Nightwatcher.
8.
ON MUGGER - Hung upside down by a chain. Purse hangs from his
neck. He'll live, but never commit another crime again...
11 11
EXT. NEW YORK CITY STREET - CONTINUOUS
CLOSE ON A NEWSSTAND - Headlines read "WOMAN MYSTERIOUSLY
RESCUED FROM BURNING BUILDING". "POLICE SEEK MAN KNOWN AS
`THE NIGHTWATCHER' FOR QUESTIONING". "WHO IS THE
NIGHTWATCHER?"
WIDER - A quieter area of the city. Broken by the squealing
of the bike as Driver (Nightwatcher) roars in to a stop.
Nightwatcher drives underneath a TRAIN BRIDGE. He takes off
his helmet. Red cloth spills out. He turns around as we see-
- RAPHAEL, THE RED-MASKED NINJA TURTLE!
He reaches back and pulls out the KNIFE from his SHELL. Looks
at it, shaking his head and grinning. He sheathes it.
R
APHAEL
Heh, heh. Nice try, chump.
QUICK SHOTS - Ignites and revs engine. Straps helmet back on.
Headlight comes to life. Lets the clutch out.
VROOOOM! - CAM STARTS TIGHT ON bike as Raphael tears away.
MICHAELANGELO (O.S.)
Dude... I'm scared!
CUT TO:
CLOSE ON - A PAIR OF TURTLE EYES... MICHAELANGELO'S! They're
wide with FEAR. Nervously darting around, unable to keep up
with the surrounding danger.
MICHAELANGELO
Dude! They're all around me! What
do I do? WHAT DO I DO?!
Mikey's eyes continue to panic. DONATELLO's voice comes in
over a RADIO. Calming.
DONATELLO (O.S.)
Just relax, Mikey. Remember your
training. You'll be fine.
MICHAELANGELO
But I need back up this time, man!
BACK UP!
DONATELLO (O.S.)
(SIGHS)
...you're such a prima donna.
9.
CAM PULLS BACK TO REVEAL WE'RE IN-
12 12
INT. UPTOWN APARTMENT - AFTERNOON
The cam pulls out of a LARGE MASCOT HEAD - looks like a big
goofy Turtle head with googly eyes and dumb smile. WIDER we
see a fake ZIPPER spirit-glued onto Mikey's plastron. In his
hands, he holds two nerf-styled NUNCHUCKS.
MICHAELANGELO
(from inside mascot head)
Okay - waita-WHOA-WHOA-WHOA-WHOA!!
Suddenly TEN KIDS WITH BIRTHDAY HATS AND FOAM NUNCHUCKS run
in SCREAMING and start beating on Mikey... a little too hard.
SCREAMING KIDS
Get him! Yeah! You suck! Hey!
Awright! Take that, Turtle-dork!
MICHAELANGELO
OH-WHOA! OW! YEOW-OW-OW! WATCH IT!!
HEY! NOT BELOW THE-OOOFF!! OW!!
End WIDER with the kids all walking away from Mikey, now on
the floor doubled over from the "playing". A beat, then-
-one more kid runs back and kicks Mikey.
LITTLE GIRL
KEEEEYA!
(turns and walks back)
This was the best birthday ever,
Mommy!
Mikey GROANS as we-
DISSOLVE TO:
13 13
EXT. UPTOWN APARTMENT - SUNSET/LATER
Beautiful downtown autumnal street. Parked in front, we see
the "COWABUNGA CARL" PARTY VAN loudly decorated in kid-
friendly colors with an embarrassing and low-tech looking
TURTLE HEAD ON TOP. PUSH IN on upstairs apartment window.
S
OCCER MOM (O.S.)
Thanks so much. You're worth every
penny. I have to tell all my
friends about you. You'll love
their kids too.
10.
14 14
INT. UPTOWN APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS
Mascot Mikey is standing at the door, holding a fistful of
cash, still in full costume.
MICHAELANGELO
I can only hope they're as lovely
as the rugrats you got here.
ON KIDS - They look tough, brandishing their nerf weapons - a
toddler street gang. One of the kids does a finger-point-then-
throat-slit gesture. The mom looks and beams. The kids
quickly smile to cover.
MICHAELANGELO
(through gritted teeth)
Such... angels.
Mikey looks to the side, and sees the still piled-high stack
of PIZZA BOXES through the fake head POV.
SOCCER MOM
Okay! Everyone say good-bye to
Cowabunga Carl! BYE!
MICHAELANGELO
(put-on voice)
Hyuk! Cowabunga dudes! Bye!
KIDS
BYE!!!!!!
ON DOOR - As the door closes and Mom turns back, a green hand
reaches in quickly a grabs a box of pizza. The door closes.
MICHAELANGELO (O.S.)
Heheh... score.
CUT TO:
EXT. UPTOWN APARTMENT - MOMENTS LATER
15 15
Mikey opens the van's rear doors. He PULLS OFF the fake
zipper on his chest and then pulls off his fake turtle head.
His trademark orange bandana spills out.
He turns, breathing in the fresh surface air. A quiet beat
until - A POLICE SIREN approaches, faint, in the distance.
Mikey jumps in the van, slams the door shut as the car
whizzes by.
WIDER - the van takes off down the street.
11.
DONATELLO (O.S.)
Hey, hey, hey... don't forget the
face thing.
16 16
EXT. NEW YORK CITY STREETS - LATER
CLOSE ON - a regular motorist sitting in his car at a traffic
light. Don monitors from a small dashboard cam. Man looks OS
Left. Reacts.
OFF HIS LOOK - We see Mikey beside him in the van. He's
behind the wheel - face FROZEN in a goofy SMILE like a
ventriloquist to "hide" his identity. Don follows on a small
surveillance cam under the rearview mirror.
MICHAELANGELO
Yes... sir.
DONATELLO (O.S.)
That's a good boy.
MICHAELANGELO
All's I'm saying Donnie is that no
one would notice if YOU did one of
these gigs every now and again.
DONATELLO (O.S.)
But you add such... panache to the
character.
Mikey, emotional, pops into "fully animated" facial mode. He
rubs his sore neck.
MICHAELANGELO
Well, if panache is French for
"punching bag", I'd have to agree
with ya.
INT. TURTLES LAIR - MONITOR ROOM - CONTINUOUS
17 17
A darkened room lit only by the lights of dozens of tv's,
monitors and TV tubes. Cables run everywhere. In front of
them is DONATELLO - our resident tech-head turtle.
DONATELLO
Close enough. I - uh-oh-
ON MONITOR - Don watches Mikey through a TRAFFIC CAM in front
of the van. Don is jacked into every major security and
surveillance camera in the city.
EXT. NEW YORK CITY STREETS - CONTINUOUS
18 18
DONATELLO (O.S.)
-you got a peeping tom.
M
12.
ON CAR - The Man is still looking - only now really freaked
out - at the fully animated Mikey head.
MICHAELANGELO
Aw nuts.
Mikey suddenly grips his face back into a tight SMILE,
frozen. He looks over and waves at the man who confusingly
waves back.
MICHAELANGELO
(ventriloquist style)
Just get me outta here, dude.
ON DON - He hits some switches. Monitors change.
DONATELLO
Traffic's clear eastbound for two
blocks. Then hook up with route J.
BACK WITH MIKEY - He's still waving with a frozen smile.
ICHAELANGELO
(ventriloquist style)
Righteous.
Mikey immediately "unfreezes" and sticks his tongue out and
antics at the Man! Before the man can react, Mikey TEARS OUT
and zips across traffic down a deserted side-street.
...as we notice the annoying ice cream style music tinkering
M
along with his gaining speed.
ICHAELANGELO (O.S.)
You HAD to install the music too...
DONATELLO (O.S.)
All part of the cover, my friend.
CUT TO:
EXT. HIDDEN ALLEYWAY - EVENING
19 19
The van parks in a long-forgotten alleyway. A dummy gate
closes behind it, obscuring it from view.
UNDER THE VAN - We see it's parked over a manhole cover. It
slowly slides shut.
INT. SEWERS - CONTINUOUS
20 20
The dripping concrete and metal maze explodes with the
cacophony of Mikey riding his skateboard, backpack in tow.
MICHAELANGELO
YEEEEEHAAAAAAWWWW!!
13.
But this isn't just any half-pipe - it tests all of Mikey's
skills in ninjitsu, extreme sports and cross-training. He
jumps on and off the board to occasionally tackle obstacles
with all four limbs. A fun rock n' roll sequence.
Feels like Mikey is miles away from the surface world when he
arrives at a seemingly DEAD END. He smiles as he reveals a
BRICK DUMMY WALL that brings him to...
INT. TURTLES LAIR - CONTINUOUS
21 21
Mikey lands in the "foyer" of sorts. Atop entrance stairs. He
kicks the double doors open.
MICHAELANGELO
Honeeeeey! I'm hooome!
As Mikey slides down the banister, the cam dollies around
I
behind him revealing the LAIR. Breathtaking to fresh eyes.
t has a wonderful lived-in feel - they're not squatters...
they've made this their HOME. Furniture is jury-rigged and
the place is custom lit to provide the right kind of
atmosphere. If we looked behind the surface detail, we'd see
a mesh of wires and circuitry powering the entire lair.
Donatello runs up to Mikey. Mikey robotically hands him the
wad of money from the party.
DONATELLO
Moneymoneymoneymoney.
As Donnie walks away, Mikey LOUDLY CLEARS HIS THROAT. Don
stops as Mikey holds out his hand. Don's busted - he peels
off a few bills and hands Mikey his share.
MICHAELANGELO
Domo arigato, dude.
Mikey walks into the room and plops down on a sofa. Hits a
remote as a BIG SCREEN lights up in front of him. Suddenly-
SPLINTER (O.S.)
MICHAELANGELO!
Mikey springs from the couch. Snaps to obedience.
MICHAELANGELO
Yes, sensei.
ANGLE ON - SPLINTER the Japanese rodent master and father of
the TMNT. He is well-kempt, still walks with a cane, and has
the same sparkle in his eye. He approaches Mikey. Silent.
SPLINTER
(a beat)
Well?
P
14.
MICHAELANGELO
Sensei?
(thinks, then realizes)
Oh! Here ya go, Master Splinter.
Mikey reaches into his bag and removes a foil-wrapped piece
of BIRTHDAY CAKE. Splinter lights up.
SPLINTER
Ahh! Butter creme frosting!
Donatello walks to Splinter. Holds his hand out, judgmental.
DONATELLO
Master. No cake. You remember your
last cholesterol tests.
SPLINTER
But I-
(changes attitude)
-Donatello! I am your Master!
DONATELLO
Nice try, sensei. But you can still
be my Master... with low
cholesterol.
Splinter surrenders the cake. As Don walks away,
Michaelangelo reaches into his bag and secretly passes
Splinter a smaller wrapped piece.
SPLINTER
He-heh. You have done well, my son.
Donatello walks to the fridge and opens it - FILLED with
dozens of other pieces of Birthday Cake leftovers. He tosses
it with the rest. C
UT TO:
EXT. ROOFTOPS - SUNSET
22 22
The street noise below is barely audible. Camera creeps along
the edge of the building, reaching a row of GARGOYLES.
AN ALONG GARGOYLES - Still. Concrete. Creepy. Just as we
pass the fourth, we barely notice it's WHITE EYES OPENING.
QUICK SNAP BACK TO GARGOYLE - Only now it's gone. Something
strange is coming to town...
CUT TO:
15.
23 23
EXT. NEW JERSEY HARBOR - SUNSET
Large freighters. Lots of activity. PUSH IN on a steamer as a
crane lowers a LARGE VERTICAL CRATE to the dock - it THUMPS
down hard.
APRIL (O.S.)
Careful! That isn't some box full
of fish!
CAM LOWERS - as APRIL O'NEIL leaps down into frame. Dressed
in jungle expedition gear with her head wrapped in a bandana.
She takes off her sunglasses and admires the crate.
ON BOX - Labelled "O'Neil Cargo". Something ominous about the
crate. PUSH IN on it as April steps in front. Admires it with
pride. Turns, takes out a cell phone, and hits speed dial.
ON PHONE DISPLAY - "Calling HOME". It rings.
APRIL
(impatient mutter)
Where are you?
INT. APRIL AND CASEY'S LOFT APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS
24 24
A spacious NYC loft - tons of bookcases work as room
dividers. Piled with artifacts, unopened crates of all sizes,
boxes of maps, and a general organized mess. A hockey game
BLARES from a TV set.
CAM PANS ACROSS ROOM - The telephone continues to ring just
as we reach the KITCHEN - with piles of dirty dishes and fast
food. And then a path of strewn clothes that gets messier and
messier until we reach -
- CASEY JONES, snoring on a sofa. He finally wakes up,
clamors for the phone, tripping over mess in the process.
C
ASEY
(GROGGY)
Talk to me.
APRIL
Hey. It's me. I'm back.
Casey rubs his face, tries to orient himself. Looks at watch.
CASEY
Was that today, babe?
April's disappointed. Same old Casey.
O
16.
APRIL
Yes. It was today that I returned
to you after being in a deadly
jungle for almost a month.
(BEAT)
I thought you were going to meet me
down here?
CASEY
I'm sorry, babe. I must've-
APRIL
Forget it. I'll take a cab.
A long pause on the phone. Casey knows he's busted.
CASEY
I missed you?
April doesn't answer. She closes the phone. Casey slumps in
his chair, shaking his head.
CASEY
Good goin', Case.
Back at the dock, April is back to business.
APRIL
Howie! Get this on the truck for
delivery! Let's go!
P.O.V. INSIDE BOX - See April through the wood slats. We'd
swear we almost hear... LOW GROWLING.
CUT TO:
INT. MIKEY'S BEDROOM - LATER
25 25
Mikey is on his bed. His thumbs pound away at a video game on
TV - bored. He puts down the controller and yells to the
ceiling.
MICHAELANGELO
I'M! BORED!!!!!
He stands up and walks to DON'S ROOM. He opens it. It takes
only one foot until the door is pushed up against piles of
TECH JUNK. Mikey uses his shoulder and pushes it open.
N DON - He's hunched over a work table, back to Mikey.
Tinkering as always. Wild inventions line the walls, some
finished, some not. Some pay tribute to past TMNT adventures.
MICHAELANGELO
Don, y'ever feel like you were
meant for more? To DO more? Like, I
mean, sometimes I feel like...
(MORE)
D
17.
MICHAELANGELO(cont'd)
like we never really left that
glass turtle bowl when we were
little dudes.
REVERSE ANGLE - Don lifts his head up, eyes MAGNIFIED in some
bizarre head contraption. He flips up side panels,
ELECTRONICA MUSIC blares out.
ONATELLO
Oh, hi Mikey. You say something?
MICHAELANGELO
(sighs - to himself)
Every day it's the same thing. Wake
up. Birthday party gig. Drive home.
Watch TV. Train... Rinse. Repeat.
DONATELLO
I know. Isn't it great?
A beat. Mikey sighs, then walks back downstairs to the LIVING
ROOM SOFA. He and the camera think he's alone, but before he
knows it, Splinter is sitting next to him, cross legged,
still, and sipping tea.
MICHAELANGELO
WAH!!
SPLINTER
Michaelangelo. Boredom is never an
indicator of your surroundings. It
is a reflection of your inner
heart. Fill yourself with
excitement on the inside... and
you'll live the most rewarding life
of all.
Mikey stares at Splinter, dead pan. A beat. Then returns to
flipping channels. He stops on a NEWS program - "NYC DIRT".
NYC DIRT REPORTER (O.S.)
And so yet again, police officials
are baffled at a crime of
retribution that can only be
attributed to the mysterious figure
M known as "The Nightwatcher".
ikey lights up. On TV is a flashy well-coifed, know-nothing
REPORTER. Beside him is a news photo of the tied up MUGGER
from our second scene.
NYC DIRT REPORTER
This is the latest in a string of
vigilante acts that have been
plaguing the city for the past
year.
(MORE)
S
18.
NYC DIRT REPORTER(cont'd)
Although the victims have been
criminals themselves, the
Nightwatcher's actions have been
identified as destructive and
overly-violent... verging on the
edge of lethal.
ON MIKEY - Can't smile wide enough. He runs to his room,
returns with a POLAROID CAMERA. He snaps a picture of the TV.
He pulls it out, placing it in his NIGHTWATCHER SCRAPBOOK,
overflowing with paper clippings and articles on the
vigilante.
MICHAELANGELO
Now THAT'S what I'm talking about!
Cruising the streets, busting those
who hold themselves above the law.
(movie announcer voice)
But they aren't above HIS.
Don walks in, holding an in-process invention. He looks up.
DONATELLO
Mikey, the man's practically a
criminal himself. Anyone who
operates without boundary or rule
of law cannot be legislated and
needs to be reigned in.
RAPHAEL (O.S.)
Sounds like four turtles I used ta
know.
ON DOOR - Raphael walks in, his Nightwatcher costume no where
in sight.
RAPHAEL
Whatta we talkin' about, boys?
Soundin' a little too egghead fer
my tastes.
PLINTER
Ah, Raphael. Your brothers and I
were just discussing the vigilante
Nightwatcher once again.
(beat - concerned)
Where have you been? You've been
spending so much time away from
home lately...
Raphael's on edge from the mention of Nightwatcher already.
His attention doesn't break from Donatello.
RAPHAEL
I joined a book a' the month club.
(to Donnie)
So just what's your beef with
puttin' dirtbags behind bars,
Donnie? Go ahead... enlighten me.
R
R
19.
Splinter watches the growing tension with concern.
DONATELLO
I have no problem with the
incarceration of those who deserve
it, but if someone like
Nightwatcher has ultimate power...
then who makes sure he doesn't
cross the line?
Mikey picks up two NINJA BLADE RINGS, twirling them around
aggressively in mock battle.
MICHAELANGELO
I think he's COOL.
DONATELLO
Of course you would.
MICHAELANGELO
(in bg, oblivious)
Keeya! HATCHAAAAAA!!
RAPHAEL
Sometimes there are lines that even
the police can't cross. Someone has
to be willing to do what needs to
be done. And to do that, fear
becomes a weapon.
DONATELLO
You are such a Neanderthal.
Raphael does the bully FAKE LUNGE at Don. Don reacts quick
and startled, eyes wide.
APHAEL
I rest my case.
S
PLINTER
(SCOLDING)
Raphael! If bullying is the only
way to argue your point, then
perhaps you do not have much of a
point to begin with.
APHAEL
(gritted teeth)
Yes, sensei.
(to Mikey)
And quit touchin' my stuff.
Raph yanks the Ring Blades out of Mikey's hands and storms
out of the room by flipping up a series of cables to the
second floor.
20.
DONATELLO
(too-late-retort to Raph)
That was just a startle response
and isn't really an indication of
fear!
Raph does the "blah blah" hand gesture from above. Enters his
room, slams the door and immediately BLASTS MUSIC...
...and it's some annoying pop HIP-HOP song.
RAPHAEL (O.S.)
AAAARGH! AND STOP TOUCHING MY
STEREO TOO, MIKEY!!!
Then HEAVY ROCK starts playing to drown out his family. A
silence sits in the room as a CD flies out of Raph's room.
Tense in the room for a bit. Don looks at the other two.
DONATELLO
It's an involuntary thing your body
does when stimulated like that.
(no response)
What? It's true.
CUT TO:
EXT. HARBOR - NIGHT
26 26
A large JET LINER flies into the city. Lowering. The wheels
fold out under the carriages.
CLOSER - LEO is on the landing gear, his face lit up by the
city glow in front of him. He jumps off as - FOOMP! - a HANG-
GLIDER opens up from his backpack. He lowers the glider to
the water and RELEASES!
INT. SEWER PIPE - MOMENTS LATER
27 27
Disgusting. Dripping. Out of the slime, Leo rises. A beat...
inhales, then SMILES WIDE.
LEONARDO
Mmm... home sweet home.
INT. TURTLES LAIR - NIGHT
28 28
All is peaceful in the lair. The big screen TV is the only
light source. Mikey snores and drools on the couch, covered
in junk food wrappers. Donnie sleeps with an "TECH HEAD"
magazine over his face... gadget-in-process in his lap.
ON ENTRANCE - Leo walks in and places his bag on the floor.
The place feels different... but still feels like home.
S
21.
He tiptoes with ninjitsu precision across the floor, avoiding
the potential noise-making mess below him. He sneaks to-
INT. SPLINTER'S ROOM - CONTINUOUS
29 29
Leo peers in cautiously. Splinter is still awake. Expecting
him. Kneeling on the floor. Very serious.
SPLINTER
Enter.
Leo walks in and kneels in front of Splinter.
LEONARDO
I have completed my training,
master. I am prepared for the next
stage.
SPLINTER
That you are, my son. You must now
apply all that you have learned on
your lengthy journey to your
everyday life. THAT will be the
most challenging training of all...
plinter reaches out and hands Leonardo an ANCIENT MEDALLION.
Leo is touched.
CLOSE ON SHADOWS OUTSIDE OF ROOM - We see a pair of EYES,
watching the entire scene... jealous.
SPLINTER
I've missed you, Leonardo.
L
eo hugs Splinter.
LEONARDO
I've missed you too, father.
SPLINTER
I'm afraid much has changed in your
brothers' spirits since you have
left. But now that you are home,
they will finally have the ethical
and warrior leadership they have
been lacking. The family needs you.
ON LEO - He swallows that big pill very hard.
LEONARDO
Heh. Yeah... I mean, yes sensei.
SPLINTER
(to doorway)
Raphael, your brother is home.
(
22.
ON OUTSIDE OF ROOM - Raphael walks out of the shadows. He's
good... but not too good for Splinter. Splinter and Leo break
and face the doorway. An awkward silence.
LEONARDO
Hey.
RAPHAEL
Hey.
Raphael eyes Leo... and then the medallion.
RAPHAEL
So... congratulations.
LEONARDO
Thanks.
RAPHAEL
(awkward beat/fake yawn)
Well, I'm goin' to bed.
He leaves.
TV ROOM - Raph walks through the room, cuffs Don on the back
of the head, and keeps on walking.
RAPHAEL
Leo's home.
Donatello wakes up, looks around. LIGHTS UP when he sees Leo.
DONATELLO
Leo!!
ON MIKEY - He wakes up. A Cheese Doodle stuck to his upper
snout. Really groggy.
MICHAELANGELO
But I don't WANNA pop out of the
birthday cake, Mrs. Ro-
(snaps out of it)
LEOOOOO!!!
Mikey flips past Donnie and slams Leo with a gripping HUG...
and doesn't let go.
LEONARDO
Hey little bro!
a beat)
Mikey? You can let go now... um,
Mikey?
MICHAELANGELO
(MUTTERING)
So bored... so bored...
W
O
23.
CAM LOWERS INTO FLOOR AS WE...
FADE TO BLACK
VER BLACK - Quick bursts of AUDIO VIOLENCE. Steel,
screaming, trampling, and rumbling. Then-
-with each audio burst, we now see a VISUAL BURST. Strong,
rim-lit, iconic images of an IMMENSE BATTLE - a slicing blade
weapon, screaming mouth, angry eyes. Then-
-a monster claw! Gnashing teeth! Scared eyes! Horns and
tusks! The edit gets intense, until -
WINTERS
AAAAAAAAAAAAGGGH!!!
INT. WINTERS BEDROOM - DAWN
30 30
It was all a nightmare. We go WIDER as we take in the
ostentatious bedroom of MAXIMILIAN WINTERS, a young mid-40's.
Famous NYC entrepreneur.
inters is large, handsome, built and powerful in every
sense. His bedroom reflects it as well - large simple shapes,
decorated with a modern-day tribal/tech appeal. This guy is
filled with adrenaline, power and machismo.
W
INTERS ASSISTANT (O.S.)
Mr. Winters, sir.
ON DOORWAY - Standing there is a beautiful black-haired
assistant dressed in full suit and tie with a clipboard.
WINTERS ASSISTANT
It's time for your morning workout.
INT. WINTERS WORKOUT ROOM
31 31
Rock/hip-hop music crashes in as we see Winters' morning
workout - a combination of weaponry work (martial arts and
others), floor routines and bag work. He takes it all very
seriously.
Sequence ends with him smashing the top off of a Mook Jung
training block with his bare fist. He walks out of the room,
grabbing a towel from a blonde assistant.
INT. WINTERS OFFICE - LATER
32 32
Winters walks in his crisp suit. His office is large and
austere. Two levels of history in books, artifacts, warrior
themed curios and power.
W
-
24.
WINTERS ASSISTANT (O.S.)
Mr. Winters, sir?
ON DOOR - His Assistant stands at the large doors.
WINTERS ASSISTANT
The board is waiting.
WINTERS
Excellent.
He walks to the large bay windows that overlooks the city.
EXT. WINTERS OFFICE
33 33
Now outside the window, he smiles at the view.
WINTERS
Tell them I'm on my way down.
He slowly LOWERS OUT OF FRAME. CAM PULLS OUT WIDER REVEALING -
Winters Office is an "elevator" of sorts that can ride up
and down the front of the building, allowing him access to
any floor of his Tower without leaving his desk.
WIDER - see the Tower is a monolith in the middle of
Manhattan - complete with it's own front Central Park-ish
gated entry. A true work of modern architecture.
WIPE TO:
INT. WINTERS LOBBY - DAY
34 34
We see the wonder of everything Winters - mixing of old
artifacts with modern day aesthetic and implementation. The
ceilings are vast and there is no mistaking the worth of the
man and his company.
W
inters' Elevator Office lowers into a balcony level building
overseeing the main lobby. He walks down a stairwell and
through the lobby, five Assistants following him.
INT. BOARDROOM - CONTINUOUS
35 35
Winters walks in the room. CLOSE ON him as he stops at the
head of the boardroom table.
INTERS
Gentlemen! Let's begin.
T
25.
CAM PULLS BACK along the impossibly long table as DOZENS OF
BOARD MEMBERS stand up. When it reaches the end, it looks as
though Winters stands at the head of an ARMY AT ATTENTION.
CUT TO:
36 36
INT. TURTLES LAIR - AFTERNOON
Leo walks along the upper floor of their lair. As he passes
Mikey's room, his brother pops out with his skateboard. We
follow them as they walk down to the TV area.
MICHAELANGELO
Leo... what's up, bro?
LEONARDO
Just enjoying being home.
hey walk past Donnie's Chop Shop room as - BOOM! - something
explodes and smoke pours out under his door.
DONATELLO (O.S.)
NOBODY PANIC! I HAVE IT ALL UNDER
CONTROL!
Mikey and Leo COUGH, leave the smokey area.
LEONARDO
Say, what's up with April and
Casey? I expected them to drop by
after I got back.
MICHAELANGELO
We don't see much of `em anymore.
April seems to be working a lot -
eww - and Casey seems to be, I
dunno, "different" lately. Maybe he
doesn't like having to put the
toilet seat down now that they've
moved in together.
LEONARDO
They're living together now?
They get to the living room area. Mikey walks to the edge of
a jury-rigged HALF-PIPE he built in an old water slough.
Mikey continues as he skates back and forth.
MICHAELANGELO
To be honest with ya, they're kinda
buzzkills to be around.
LEONARDO
Is Casey at least still doing his
hockey mask thing?
K
26.
MICHAELANGELO
Dunno. Haven't noticed since The
Nightwatcher has come home to
roost. WOOOOHOOOOOOOO!
LEONARDO
"Nightwatcher"? That some new comic
book you're hooked on, Mikey?
RAPHAEL walks in. Picks up Mikey's scrapbook as he passes the
sofa and slugs it in Leo's chest.
RAPHAEL
This should explain most of it. The
legacy of the city's newest hero.
Compliments of the fanboy over
there. M
ICHAELANGELO
Joke all you want, Raphy. But train
hard and eat your veggies and one
day, you too can be as cool as The
Nightwatcher, dude.
RAPHAEL
I can only hope, Mikey. I can only
hope...
Leo disapprovingly flips through the book.
LEONARDO
This guy could bring heat on all of
us if he keeps this up. Showboating
isn't a replacement for justice...
it's just self-indulgence.
(looks back at book)
Someone needs to talk to this thug.
ON RAPH - He looks... dying to say something. But can't.
CUT TO:
EXT. APRIL AND CASEY'S LOFT - AFTERNOON
37 37
CLOSE ON - A familiar-looking white HOCKEY MASK. Eyes blink
behind it.
ID 1
Yo, Case? Wanna be goalie?
The mask is pushed aside by Casey - Kid 1 was holding it.
CASEY
Nah, you know I work for a livin'.
It's Star Center or nothin' else.
C
27.
WIDER - Casey is with 5 other KIDS prepping for a game of
STREET HOCKEY, using tennis balls and trash cans. Chubbier
KID 2 walks by and grabs the mask himself.
KID 2
Whatever! Let's get it on!
They begin a boisterous round of hockey. Trash talk, gentle
checking and all the requisite boy things. We see that the
kids love Casey. And vice versa. Suddenly-
BROOKLYN MOM (O.S.)
TOMMY!! IT'S TIME FOR DINNER!
TOMMY (KID 1)
BUT MA! WE JUST STARTED!
BROOKLYN MOM
(snapping back)
THOMAS!
Tommy's defeated. Looks at the disappointed boys.
TOMMY
Sorry dudes.
CASEY
Busted! Have fun with your mommy...
(face falls, disappointed)
...oh no.
OFF HIS LOOK - We see APRIL, dressed stunning in a dark
business suit at the other side of the street. She's dangling
a WHITE SHIRT and a TIE from her other hand.
ASEY
Aw, c'mon April! We just started!
April just gives him "the look" with an eyebrow cock. Casey
knows he can't win.
KID 2
Can't Casey stay and play for just
five more minutes, Miss O'Neil?
Pleeeeeeease?
APRIL
Not today, Nate. Mister Jones has
to pretend to be an adult for a few
hours.
KIDS
Awwwww! Man! Baaah!
Casey hands his stick, then quickly turns with a grin.
CASEY
Later boys!
28.
CAM FOLLOWS April and Casey as they walk down the street.
April's not really a hard-ass - she's just forced to be the
"responsible one" in A
the relationship.
PRIL
I need your help with a delivery.
CASEY
(Arnold voice)
Do you need my funtahstick muscles?
APRIL
(UNENTHUSED)
Heh-heh... yeah.
Casey awkwardly places his arm over her shoulder as the cam
rests and they walk into the distance. He pulls it back down.
CAM ANGLES ON WALL - As we notice CLAW MARKS sliced into the
concrete exterior of a building.
CUT TO:
INT. WINTERS LOBBY - SUNSET
38 38
The doors open in Winters Lobby. April struts in, owning the
place. Casey struggles pulling the pallet holding the LARGE
CRATE behind them. As she passes reception-
RECEPTIONIST
Mr. Winters. April O'Neil is here.
39 39
INT. WINTERS OFFICE
His darkened office is especially alpha-male - BIG GAME HUNT
trophies adorn the walls, as do SUITS OF ARMOR from all time
periods and random strange ARTIFACTS spanning history in
glass cases.
Winters sits at his large desk as the large doors open and
April and Casey spill in.
WINTERS
Miss O'Neil. You are a vision.
Thirty days in a jungle, and
beautiful as ever.
He shakes her hand and double-cheek kisses her. Casey's eyes
widen - is THIS what his girlfriend does?
APRIL
Hello Max.
(BEAT)
This is my... friend, Casey Jones.
(
29.
WINTERS
Chris! How's it going?
Winters nearly crushes Casey's hand in his grip.
CASEY
Actually, It's Ca-
WINTERS
(ignoring, back to April)
So how was your trip?
APRIL
You know, the typical - corrupt
government officials, double
crossed by a jungle guide, all
ending in a heart-pounding chase.
Winters and April chuckle. Cam adjusts to show Casey between
them in the bg, looking uncomfortable and out of place.
APRIL
But it was all worth it.
beat - excited)
I found it. The fourth General.
Winters BEAMS, way too excited as well. April holds out her
hand to Casey, who doesn't know what she wants. He awkwardly
HIGH FIVES her.
CASEY
Yeah-ha! The fourth General.
APRIL
(hushed gritted teeth)
The crow-bar.
CASEY
Oh.
He hands it to April as she twirls up a CROW-BAR and cracks
open the front panel.
INSIDE BOX POV - The light gradually breaks in, until - CREAK
- the front panel falls to the floor.
CLOSE ON - Winters' look. Pure wonder and admiration. He
walks up to it slowly. April and Casey cautiously stay back.
WINTERS
(SOFT)
...the gods be praised.
ON BOX - We finally see the statue - GENERAL AGUILA - a seven-
foot towering wall of granite and obsidian. Eagle warrior
armor reflecting a South American design... though not from a
specific time period. Winters rubs his hand over the stone.
W
30.
APRIL
Can I ask you a question?
WINTERS
(not looking away)
Y
es. Of course.
APRIL
I've been so grateful for the
opportunities you've given me
lately. I'd probably be still
selling antique curios if you
hadn't visited my shop that day.
(off of box)
But I have to ask... why the
fascination with these particular
works of art? I'd never even heard
of the Legend of Yaotl until we
met.
He looks up. The cam PANS RIGHT. It travels past an SUIT OF
ARMOR in the FG. Goes to BLACK. Continue PAN until we're in-
40 40
EXT. FLASHBACK BATTLEFIELD - 3000 YEARS AGO
-the armor becomes the back of a HELMET. Camera dollies
around the helmet until we're looking at a dark and imposing
figure. YAOTL. His helmet is impenetrable, with eye slits.
Note - the flashback is dark, shadowed and monochromed.
Detail is hinted at instead of shown. Very stylized.
WINTERS (V.O.)
It was a time long before the
Mayans, April. Long before the
Aztecs and even the Olmecs. It was
a time of legends. A time of
greatness. The true mother culture
of Central America.
Cool shots of Yaotl. His armor, his stance, etc.
INTERS (V.O.)
There was a man named Yaotl. More a
force of nature than man. And
together with his Four Warrior-
Priest Generals, they pillaged
every culture in their path.
QUICK SHOTS OF EACH GENERAL. The walk along side Yoatl.
Possibly slo-mo. We will come to recognize them through their
distinct armor as the Four Stone Generals - in human form.
WINTERS (V.O.)
And for every culture they
destroyed, they drank in all the
magic and knowledge known to them.
(MORE)
O
31.
WINTERS(cont'd)
They became a warring hurricane,
gathering more power and knowledge
with each conquest.
GROUP SHOT - Of five Warriors. High atop a hillside, finally
stopped. Ready for battle. Their character-specific weapons
are drawn. Around them is a small army of MINIONS.
WINTERS (V.O.)
Then they came across a culture
rich with science, magic and their
own technology. A South American
version of "Atlantis".
(
BEAT)
It was like blood in the water for
a predator like Yaotl.
CLOSE ON - Yaotl. As he raises his sword in the air. CAM
DOLLIES AROUND HIS HEAD REVEALING their opposing forces. An
army of THOUSANDS. Waving their weapons in the air.
The opposing army CHARGES. Yaotl's men pull out a large
ORNAMENTAL STAND - a "stargate" of sorts. Yaotl and his men
are unmoving... as they begin a ceremony. Yaotl looks to the
heavens above - as we see a CLUSTER OF SPECIFIC STARS move
into place.
WINTERS (V.O.)
As the army approached, Yaotl used
the knowledge they'd gained in
black magic and sorcery. Timing
their attack with the alignment of
the Stars of Kikin, they opened a
portal to another world.
ON CHARGING ARMY - they stop dead in their tracks. Front-lit
by the OS portal. Don't know what to expect -
ON PORTAL - A crackling electric circle opens to another
dimension. Suddenly - DOZENS OF MONSTERS EXPLODE OUT!
Creatures of all varieties. Gnashing Fangs. Swiping claws.
WINTERS (V.O.)
They unleashed an army of monsters.
N BATTLEFIELD - men getting slaughtered (in a nice PG sort
of way). Quick shots. Intense.
WINTERS (V.O.)
The monsters knew no side - they
destroyed the enemy... as well as
Yaotl's own army. Men who swore to
spill their blood for his cause.
Yaotl had to do something to stop
more from coming through.
W
inters SMASHES the portal, stopping the slew of monsters
from pouring out. End on a scream. Dissolve to LATER in the
battle...
A
W
(
(
32.
Desolate, destroyed battlefield. Smoldering. Bodies
everywhere. No monsters. End pan on Yaotl on his knees.
WINTERS (V.O.)
In the end, there were no victors.
And they were responsible for the
eradication of the greatest culture
that will never be known. The
knowledge that was lost would never
be found again...
DISSOLVE BACK TO PRESENT DAY IN WINTERS' OFFICE
Casey has fallen asleep, sitting to the side, head in his
hand. A line of DROOL hangs from his mouth. April is
fascinated by the story. She nudges Casey who does the
slurp/half-snore wake up.
C
ASEY
("wake up" fast speak)
I was just resting my eyes...
APRIL
Quite the story, Max.
concerned re: Statue)
You don't think that this could be-
WINTERS
Oh no, Miss O'Neil.
looks back to statue)
Like you said... just a story.
inters doesn't break his stare.
WINTERS
One of the girls will pay your fee
on the way out.
PRIL
Thanks. Um... goodbye... Max.
April and Casey leave Winters, consumed with his new
treasure. He doesn't reply.
INT. WINTERS LOBBY - MOMENTS LATER
41 41
April and Casey walk the lobby. She shoots him "the look".
CASEY
What!? It was a boring story!
APRIL
That is so perfectly CASEY JONES. I
give you opportunity. I give you
the chance to become a better man.
And what do you do with it?
(MORE)
W
33.
APRIL(cont'd)
(BEAT)
YOU FALL ASLEEP!
Casey stops next to a PODIUM holding a priceless-looking
VASE. As he speaks, he gestures very animatedly and
dangerously close to the vase.
CASEY
Well, maybe if you were home for
more than four days at a time,
you'd see that I DON'T WANT ANY OF
THIS!
APRIL
(sees danger of vase)
Casey, you better be careful-
CASEY
Here I am nice enough to help you
out, dress in this get-up and all I
get is grief?!
...as he knocks and SMASHES the vase to the floor.
CASEY
Oh boy.
Klaxons sound as SHINK-SHINK-SHINK - METAL PLATES SLAM DOWN
OVER THE GLASS ENTRY. COMPLETELY ENCLOSES THE FRONT LOBBY.
Room is now emergency light RED. April rubs her temples.
APRIL
Give me strength.
CUT TO:
INT. WINTERS OFFICE
42 42
Winters is still alone in his office. Still studying the
statue. A beat. He turns his head to the side.
WINTERS
You can come out now.
IDER - As we see FOUR FIGURES appear out of the smallest and
darkest of shadows! The LEADER slinks forward - clearly a
S
woman - dressed in cloak and Japanese Noh mask over her face.
he takes it off, revealing KARAI - the beautiful leader of
the Japanese Foot Clan, flanked by three, FOOT NINJAS.
WINTERS
Your talents are commendable.
KARAI
As are yours. Most don't notice us
until we decide they will.
34.
WINTERS
Well, I guess I'm just special that
way.
Winters walks over to his desk. The Statue looms behind them.
WINTERS
So down to business - aside from
the other reasons for your visit to
America, are you interested in my
offer we discussed?
KARAI
I must confess... I still don't
know exactly what we are to do for
you.
WINTERS
I need the finely-tuned eyes and
stealth of your Foot Ninja to...
monitor the city for me over the
next few days.
Winters walks to his window. It's night. Overlooks the city.
WINTERS
Just keep your eyes peeled for
anything... strange.
KARAI
(long beat)
What kind of strange things?
The question hangs as we PUSH IN ON Statue's face... his
eerie eyes. We think his eye GLOWS, only we-
MATCH CUT TO:
EXT. STAR-FILLED SKY - NIGHT
43 43
The glowing eye is really a STAR. The same line pattern we
saw at movie's open. The stars ADJUST... lining up in a more
straight-lined manner.
CAM LOWERS, placing us back in-
EXT. NEW YORK CITY STREETS - NIGHT
44 44
A MAN walks down the sidewalk. As he passes a DARKENED
ALLEYWAY, he hears a low GROWL come from it. He stops.
ALLEY POV - As the man looks in. Can't see a thing. Hand-held
cam. He moves to leave... and the growl comes again.
STREET - Man stares in. No one on the street. Looks closer...
closer... grows more tense as...
35.
...WHAM! The requisite CAT jumps out of the shadows. Scares
Man half to death.
MAN
WAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!!
(calms down)
Gave me a scare kitty.
He pets the kitty a bit, then walks off. CAM LOWERS behind
cat, as Man walks off into the distance. Until...
...WHAM! A large burly CLAWED ARM slams out of the shadows
onto the cat, yanking it back into the alley! Quick
caterwaul. Silence. And then we hear a BURP.
C
AM LOWERS further through the asphalt, then quickly hooks up
with an air duct pipe. Zips faster and faster until we're in-
45 45
INT. TURTLES LAIR - TRAINING DOJO
Leo feverishly works out. He stops, looking up, panting.
LEONARDO (O.S.)
Does ANYBODY train anymore?!
MICHAELANGELO (O.S.)
Just a sec, dude! I'm almost at
level eighteen.
(OS video game explosion)
Scratch that... seventeen.
LEONARDO
DONNAY!
DONATELLO (O.S.)
In... uh... a few minutes, Leo. I'm
in the middle of-
KZZZT-BOOOM! - An OS invention blows up.
DONATELLO (O.S.)
Um... make that another hour.
Leo sighs. Splinter walks by, not stopping.
SPLINTER
A true leader knows how to motivate
his troops regardless of their own
motivations.
Splinter walks past a large FUSE BOX. Leo thinks a beat. Then
smiles.
WIDE SHOT OF LAIR MAIN ROOM as - KACHUNK! - the entire room
goes BLACK.
36.
TURTLES (O.S.)
Aw man! What's goin' on?! WHO
TURNED OUT THE LIGHTS!?
LEONARDO (O.S.)
Ninja tag, topside!
CUT TO:
46 46
INT. DARK CHAMBER - NIGHT
Another place that isn't the TMNT lair. Dark and mysterious.
Don't know where we are. Feels ceremonial. We see close up
detail of statue GRANITE.
A DEEP VOICE chants OS in a South American tongue as HIGH-
TECH GEAR is placed on the rock. It becomes powered,
triggering a reaction in the stone itself.
Music builds as we see quick shots of the granite cracks
GLOWING RED. Camera travels with the rising glow.
End on a pair of DEAD EYES - suddenly come to life. Red glow.
CUT TO:
EXT. NYC ROOFTOPS - NIGHT
47 47
The boys stand high atop the city below. Readying to run a
gauntlet of rooftop hazards. They spy a BILLBOARD off in the
distance. M
ICHAELANGELO
First one to touch old faithful
over there-
DONATELLO
-does the other team's chores for a
week.
Leo and Raph glare at each other.
LEONARDO/RAPHAEL
Deal.
MICHAELANGELO
I'm with Leo!
DONATELLO
Actually, I think you and I should
pair up, Mikey.
MICHAELANGELO
You kiddin' me?! I mean, no offense
Donnie, but you ain't exactly the
biggest hitter on the bench.
T
37.
Don is grinning. Observing the subtle tension.
DONATELLO
Just trust me on this one.
Music builds to a fun number as the two teams run parallel on
buildings. The course requires them to work as a TEAM,
throwing, catching and propelling one another from obstacle
to obstacle.
Leo accidentally slips, PLOWING Raph face-first into a brick
wall. Raph, convinced Leo did it on purpose, uses his next
opportunity to hurl Leo dangerously high and far over a
billboard. The situation escalates at each juncture.
LEONARDO
Have you been avoiding me? Barely
seen you since I got home.
RAPHAEL
I been busy.
LEONARDO
(SARCASTIC)
I see. So... you're definitely not
upset at me or anything, right?
RAPHAEL
Why'd you think that?
LEONARDO
I don't know... your brother gets
to go on a world-wide training
mission and you have to stay home.
Might upset me too.
RAPHAEL
Are you trying to make me mad?
LEONARDO
I'm just saying, I'd understand if
you were upset.
Their intensity ESCALATES.
RAPHAEL
You wouldn't understand the first
thing about me, daddy's boy - OOF!.
hey both trip over a duct, tumbling in a ball. They stop
rolling, continue fighting.
LEONARDO
Is that what this is about? You
think Splinter likes me best?
RAPHAEL
You'd love that, wouldn't you?
M
38.
WIDER - Don and Mikey are already sitting there.
MICHAELANGELO
So nice of you to join us,
gentledudes.
DONATELLO
And by the way, I prefer the
classic military corner tuck for my
bedsheets.
M
ikey and Don high five. Leo and Raph aren't amused. They
stare down. Raph does his BULLY FLINCH fake-lunge... only Leo
doesn't twitch. Suddenly-
MICHAELANGELO (O.S.)
Whoa! Whawazzat?!
The others rush over to the edge with Mikey.
ICHAELANGELO
You dudes see that up there?
OFF HIS LOOK - We see LARGE SHADOWS moving with in a large I-
BEAM CONSTRUCTION SITE. The movement is coming from one of
the higher floors.
MICHAELANGELO
So what now, captain?
LEONARDO
We need to come up with a plan.
RAPHAEL
Later!
Raph RUNS OFF toward the action.
LEONARDO
RAPH!!!
But Raph doesn't stop. All three look at each other. Then-
MICHAELANGELO
Welcome home.
EXT. I-BEAM HIGHRISE CONSTRUCTION
48 48
The boys cross over on a large CONSTRUCTION CRANE and scale
up the few more stories to the top. They stand on a scaffold
underneath the floor of the activity.
ON WALL - Deep CLAW MARKS are carved into the steel, much
like by April and Casey's loft. Don notices.
DONATELLO
Guys, I've got a bad feeling...
L
M
39.
RAPHAEL
Ahh, let's take a tiny peek.
They scale to the top floor. Peering over the edge.
MICHAELANGELO
Well, there's a good/bad news
scenario for ya.
CAM BEGINS TO CRANE UP from Turtles to activity on the floor.
MICHAELANGELO
Good news is that there are a
buncha Foot Ninja gettin' the snot
kicked out of `em.
CAM FINISHES ON FLOOR - Showing SIX FOOT NINJAS and KARAI
squaring off against a LARGE BIGFOOT-LIKE MONSTER! It tosses
them around like stuffed animals.
ICHAELANGELO (O.S.)
Bad news is WHAT's kickin' the snot
out of `em...
ON TURTLES - As they've all now crept up to the dark corner
of the floor. A FOOT NINJA gets clobbered and sails past
them, and off the building. (safely to a scaffold below)
D
ONATELLO
An interesting conundrum. Do we
hold dear the value of life and
help the Foot regardless of our
tumultuous past?
MICHAELANGELO
I vote for sitting back and
enjoying the show.
(to Leo)
Whaddaya say, leader boy?
ON LEO - He's troubled. The burden of "leader" shouldered.
RAPHAEL
Nah. We kick butt.
Raph jumps forward! Leo rolls his eyes, as all the Turtles
jump into the fray. The Foot are surprised at first, and the
Bigfoot Monster is confused as well.
ON LEO - He stops when he comes face to face with Karai.
EONARDO
Who are YOU?!
ON KARAI - She pauses a moment. They exchange expert katana
attacks. Stalemate. She gestures to the Foot as they use this
opportunity for their escape. As they leap away, Karai looks
back at the Turtles...
R
40.
The Creature immediately CHASES the boys throughout the
structure, as they use all their ninja skills to avoid it,
not to mention impalement on the bed of rebar below!
aph tries to turn the tables and attacks the Creature! The
boys have no choice but to help him... putting them in deeper
trouble.
The I-Beam is getting dented and twisted with each impact.
The tussle begins to fall - whoomp, whoomp - down many
flights of floors.
Raph gets separated at one point, jumping off the side of the
building to catch up, and swings himself back onto the bottom
floor to await the others.
SMASH! They fall into Raph's floor.
RAPHAEL
Nice of ya's ta join me.
But the Turtles eventually get cornered. And just as the
Creature closes in-
MICHAELANGELO
YEEEAAAAARGGHHH!!!!!
The creature stops. Confused. So are the other three turtles.
MICHAELANGELO
What? I saw it on a nature show
once.
The creature SCREAMS BACK! Boys freak out.
TURTLES
AAAAAAGGHHHHH!!!!!
A
NGLE ABOVE TURTLES - As a large teetering pallet filled with
dried cement and blocks to come CRASHING DOWN ON THEM! The
Turtles are buried under the rubble.
RUH? - The Creature is confused... until it's hit with a
blinding light, and then an EXPLOSION - FWOOM! We hear heavy
footsteps thumping through the light. Shapes start to form
until we see...
...LIVING VERSIONS OF THE FOUR STONE GENERALS! Sporting HIGH
TECH GEAR - a mix of tech with ancient magic scrawlings.
Their bodies "glow" with a red inner life, seeping through
their stone cracks and piercing eyes.
The Generals are all ANIMAL-THEMED - Mute and powerful Ape-
themed costume ("MONO"), Eagle Leader ("AGUILA"), agile
Jaguar ("GATO") and the deadly snake-like female
("SERPIENTE"). Large. Imposing. Completely bad-ass.
The Creature ROARS and FIGHTS to no avail...
41.
BURIED POV - Silent. The Turtles start to GROAN, regaining
consciousness. Moonlight shoots in as they move the rock and
stand up, groggy.
ON MOUTH OF ALLEY - Through the smoke we can see silhouettes -
a large hairy shape, along with FOUR VERY LARGE SHAPES. The
sounds of freighter doors CLOSING, engines revving and then a
caravan of sorts pulling away.
WHOOOOOP! - A POLICE SIREN chirps. Approaching the now-
destroyed site.
DONATELLO
Better hit the tunnels, guys.
Donnie uses a small prod to prop open a MANHOLE COVER. Don,
Mike and Leo jump in. Leo looks back, Raph is still stewing.
LEONARDO
Raph. Save it for another day.
(BEAT)
RAPH!
Raph knows he has to go. Reluctantly he enters the sewer. The
lid closes as the alley is illuminated by POLICE CHERRIES.
A
beat, then Mikey barely pops the lid open for another peek.
MICHAELANGELO (O.S.)
Y'know, it's not that bad, dudes.
ON BUILDING - Actually, the place is destroyed. Dented, torn
and looking like a post-night raid in WWII.
CUT TO:
EXT. WINTERS TOWER - NIGHT
49 49
UP ANGLE on the Tower. Dead of night. No one around.
INT. WINTERS TOWER SECRET CELL BASEMENT - CONTINUOUS
50 50
A cavernous structure. Dimly lit. High ceiling. A few odd
silhouettes here and there.
We hear the clicking of Winters' shoes echo as he enters.
WINTERS
What seems to be the problem?
Karai and six Ninja are already there.
KARAI
The "problem" is that we were hired
to merely patrol the city and
report anything "strange" to you.
(MORE)
W
42.
KARAI(cont'd)
(grabs sword hilt)
You never said anything about
MONSTERS.
Winters smirks, looking at the mouse who thinks he can take
the lion. He reaches to a satchel on the floor. The Foot
TENSE in anticipation. Instead... Winters comes up with a
MONEY BRICK.
INTERS
(tosses money brick)
So, your job duties were just
redefined. Congratulations on your
promotion.
SHINK! - Karai pulls out her To and slices the brick in mid-
air. Winters STOPS and looks back over his shoulder.
KARAI
We may be hired help to you, but
you should never forget... we are
the Foot Clan.
ON WINTERS - Condescendingly finds this particularly `cute'.
WINTERS
Oooooooh...
It sets the Foot off. They all grab their weapons, moving
toward Winters. Karai flips forward, sword drawn and at
Winters throat!
...as Winters stands still... and begins to LAUGH.
Slowly, the thumping of FOUR SETS OF FEET lumber out of the
shadows. Reveal themselves to be THE FOUR STONE GENERALS.
They flank Winters, who is just loving the theatricality of
it all.
The Foot Ninja leap back. Winters remains confident and
unmoving. Generals SMIRK at Karai and the Foot.
WINTERS
I believe we made a deal, Karai. I
expect you to honor it.
(beat, stares her down)
You do understand "honor", don't
you?
Karai stews... unblinking stare. Of course she does.
WINTERS
So I don't care what part of
"muscle for hire" you don't
understand. I hired your muscle.
Now exercise the ones attached to
your feet and...
(closer - terse)
...get back to work.
43.
Karai slowly steps back. Winters smiles wide, reaches into
the drawer and takes another brick of bills and tosses it to
W
a Foot Ninja. Then another to a second Ninja.
INTERS
So I will double... no, no...
TRIPLE your pay for your troubles.
(stare down)
Are we cool?
ON FOOT - They just stare back, blank goggles. Probably
seething inside. Winters is flanked by Generals.
WINTERS
Are we... cool?
The Foot don't move. Tense. Karai finally nods. Terse.
WINTERS
Ninjas. No sense of humor.
(to Generals)
So how did we fare?
CORRIDOR ENTRANCE - a hunched SHAPE undulating in chains is
wheeled into the light.
Winters approaches it - chained to a high-tech and uplit
pallet on the floor. We can barely make it out as being the
HAIRY CREATURE from the I-beam fight.
WINTERS
(close, quiet)
So it begins...
It SCREAMS. Fights it's restraints. Tires. Breathing heavily.
Winters approaches, safely inches away from his fanged maw.
Creature suddenly lunges forward! Winters doesn't flinch. He
merely grins at the creature.
WINTERS
(to General Aguila)
Were there any problems?
AGUILA speaks in a gravelly, hardened voice. He towers over
Winters by a foot. Clearly the leader of the four.
GENERAL AGUILA
None, my lord.
WINTERS
(to Karai)
You see, now THAT'S a good soldier.
You two should compare notes.
Karai and Aguila stare at each other. Karai obviously not
used to being handled like this.
K
44.
KARAI
Just what is this all about?
WINTERS
Oh, let's call it a scavenger hunt.
(re: Generals)
I now have the power and know-how,
but I need the speed and stealth of
an organization such as your own.
Not to mention an organization that
values discretion.
KARAI
But of course.
WINTERS
You see, I have nine more beasts
like this that should be coming to
town very soon. Thirteen in all, to
be exact.
The Four Generals move the monster into a position on the
floor ahead - into a DISK on the floor. ON CEILING - We see
the top of a CAGE inserted over top, creating a cell.
ARAI
But... why? Why here? Why now?
WINTERS
Instinct, mostly. They're animals
at their core.
(looks off, distant)
And they recognize something
familiar in the air... in the
stars.
(BEAT)
What can I say? I'm a lover of
animals.
The disk ROTATES. WIDER we see that there are already some
cells inserted on the large stone disk in the floor. Filled
by darkened silhouettes of creatures that we're probably glad
W
we don't fully see. Glowing eyes pierce out of the darkness.
INTERS
So you go and get to know each
other. And don't forget... play
nice.
The Generals turn and walk-push the Foot out of the door.
They move to fight back, but Karai waves her hand.
KARAI
Not now. Our business will be
handled at a later time...
D
R
C
45.
After they leave, we pause for A BEAT on Winters. Quiet.
Tired. Contemplative.
UT TO:
51 51
INT. TURTLES LAIR - KITCHEN - AFTERNOON
Three brothers sit around their breakfast table, looking hung
over from the previous night's brawl. Mikey comes in, looking
the worst of all, and plops into his seat. Cam circles table.
MICHAELANGELO
Dudes, did anyone get the license
plate of the thing that hit us last
night? Oi, my head...
Don pours over a thick book on MONSTERS AND MYTHOLOGY.
DONATELLO
Was it just me, or did that
creature look familiar?
RAPHAEL
We coulda taken it if you slackers
woulda pitched in sooner.
LEONARDO
Fact remains, Raph, that we should
have never been there in the first
place.
APHAEL
Well, I suppose that we shoulda let
Mr. Cuddly-kins continue to spread
happiness throughout the city... oh
wait... HE WAS A FREAKING MONSTER
TRYIN' TA KILL US!!! Good call,
fearless leader.
ONATELLO
Come to think of it, it WAS pretty
strange to see the Foot too. And
who was that woman?
MICHAELANGELO
I dunno, but she sure gave Leo a
run for his money.
LEONARDO
(still fighting with Raph)
This is my fault now, Raph? I'm the
only one who has to be responsible!
RAPHAEL
Hey, you're the "trained master",
not me.
46.
MICHAELANGELO
(quickly interjected)
Dudes-can-it-here-comes-Splinter.
ON DOOR - Splinter walks in, HUMMING to himself.
SPLINTER
Good morning, my sons.
TURTLES
Morning, sensei.
Splinter makes himself a TEA. Room is SILENT.
ON TURTLES - Raph and Leo GLARE at one another while they
eat. Don is pouring over a THICK BOOK while Mikey sits with
his forehead on the table.
SPLINTER
If anyone needs me, I'll be
watching my stories.
S
plinter walks out. OS sound of the TV being turned on. At
the table, the glare continues.
LEONARDO
Hothead.
RAPHAEL
Splinter-junior.
NYC DIRT REPORTER (O.S.)
And in the latest of a string of
strange criminal activity, a
construction site was nearly
destroyed last night. Authorities
believe a violent battle had taken
place earlier that evening.
The boys react and rush into the MAIN LIVING AREA.
ON TV - a well-coifed News Reporter stands outside of the I-
BEAM TOWER. In the daylight, we can see the building is
twisted and dented from the night's fighting.
The boys immediately JUMP FORWARD. Mikey grabs the remote and
ups the volume.
SPLINTER
My sons, what-
Splinter's eyes go wide. He looks at his boys listening to
the TV intently. Mikey nurses his sore head.
SPLINTER
I believe you boys have some
explaining to do...
M
47.
Splinter looks at the Turtles. Busted, as we-
X-DISSOLVE TO:
52 52
INT. SPLINTER'S ROOM - LATER
The Turtles are kneeling before their sensei.
SPLINTER
Leonardo, I am most disappointed in
you. You are the leader of your
brothers. I was counting on you to
bring order to the chaos of this
family.
LEONARDO
But Master Splinter, how can I be
expected to do so when Ra-
SPLINTER
There are no excuses when you are
the Leader, my student.
ON LEO - Biting his tongue. Hard.
SPLINTER
But the involvement of the Foot and
their mysterious leader worries me.
ICHAELANGELO
I'm personally worried about a
monster running around the streets
of New York. But hey, that's just
me.
Don elbows Mikey back in line.
RAPHAEL
We hafta go out and find who's
responsible for this. There ain't
no other solution.
SPLINTER
Raphael, there are better ways to
use your skills in ninjitsu. Fact-
gathering. Analysis. Observation.
Direct contact should only be your
last resort.
RAPHAEL
Wow, sounds... exciting.
LEONARDO
Save the brute vigilante junk for
that Nightwing guy.
N
48.
MIKEY/RAPH
"Nightwatcher".
LEONARDO
Whatever.
Raph stands and exits the room. The others stay silent as we-
WIPE TO:
INT. SECRET NIGHTWATCHER AREA IN SEWER - LATER
53 53
QUICK SHOTS - Nightwatcher gearing up.
ightwatcher emerges from a MAN HOLE. Walks to a long-
forgotten and shadowed underside of a BRIDGE. He points up
with a REMOTE - chirp! Slowly, his MOTORBIKE begins to lower
on retractable grappling hooks.
O
N BIKE - Explodes out of a BACK ALLEY and into the night.
EXT. NEW YORK CITY BACK ALLEYS/STREETS - NIGHT
54 54
Various shots of Nightwatcher tearing all over the city. On
bike and on foot. Angry. Trying to work it out of his system.
He's swallowed it all up to this point... getting harder.
BEGIN MONSTER HUNTING MONTAGE
55 55
Aggressive and driving music. Various shots of the Stone
Generals capturing a laundry list of CREATURES that are
coming into the city. See the tech, detail and precision that
the Winters' operation works. Foot Ninja act as living
"tracking devices" around the city.
- The Generals capture a Sloth-like creature, jumping in
throughout rafters above. The Foot try to help by blocking
exits.
- The Generals capture a werewolf-like creature in the high-
speed subway tunnels. The Foot maneuver the subway car.
- General Mono takes on a large scale YETI-like monster. A
WWE-sized match set in a large abandoned warehouse.
- Close calls, as humans come close to seeing the monsters...
but rarely do. We see small house pets swiped away. Fleeting
glimpses of limbs, claws and teeth in the shadows all over
NYC. Meat trucks torn open and their contents "stolen".
- Intermix quick shots of Generals and collars clamping,
cells locking, etc.
49.
- See more cells being filled in Winters Basement. ONLY 3
EMPTY CELLS REMAIN.
CUT TO:
56 56
EXT. APRIL AND CASEY'S LOFT APARTMENT - NIGHT
Quiet part of the neighborhood. Their lights are fully on.
APRIL (O.S.)
You sure you don't want to spar a
bit?
INT. APRIL AND CASEY'S LOFT APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS
57 57
April is dressed in work-out gear on a grouping of floor
mats. She twirls a wooden KATANA as part of a floor routine.
Wow - she's actually pretty good! Casey eats a bag of chips
with one hand, does curls with a dumbbell with the other.
CASEY
Nah. Ever since you started with
the blade weapons you, um... you
kinda scare me.
APRIL
Suit yourself.
(she stops - a beat)
Case?
CASEY
Yeah?
APRIL
(AWKWARD)
Are you happy? I mean, with your
life. With me.
Casey pauses a beat. Tries to be upbeat.
CASEY
Yeah. Sure.
(beat - serious)
You?
April thinks just as much.
APRIL
Yeah.
They sit on that for a moment. Casey leans in for a kiss.
April doesn't notice. Awkward. Casey changes his mind.
CASEY
(walks to the window)
I'm going outside for some air.
N
N
50.
Casey slips out onto the fire escape. April knows better.
APRIL
(to herself)
Be safe.
5
8 58
EXT. LOFT ROOFTOP - CONTINUOUS
Casey climbs up from the fire escape. Checks to make sure
he's alone. He reaches inside a chimney flue and pulls out -
A BASEBALL BAT and his CLASSIC WHITE HOCKEY MASK!
He slips it on. Does a few warm up swings. Cricks his neck.
59 59
EXT. NYC ROOFTOPS - CONTINUOUS
All is still, until the panicked face of a BURGLAR enters
frame. Being held by his collar.
BURGLAR
I'M SORRY MAN! I-I-I WON'T EVER DO
IT AGAIN! I'M SORR-OOOF!
BAM! - the leather fist of Nightwatcher slams Burglar back,
tripping over an A/C duct. He tries to shield himself-
REVERSE ANGLE - BOOM! - Nightwatcher lands in the FG.
IGHTWATCHER
Funny how you jerks don't care
about crossing the line `til
someone else does it... all over
yer HEAD!
Night hurls him back into a roof access door, denting it.
Raph's loving this. Walks to the Burglar and picks him up.
BURGLAR
(almost in tears)
I'M SORRY! I'M SORRY!!!
NIGHTWATCHER
Boy, oh boy, did YOU pick the wrong
night to be a criminal...
Night cocks his fist just as-
CASEY (O.S.)
Hey champ. You think you're being a
little rough on the guy?
ight slowly turns around. Menacing. Casey's taken aback.
(
51.
CASEY
Are you that Nightwatcher fella?
(beat - unimpressed)
A little smaller than I expected.
RAPHAEL
(inside helmet)
Case? No way!
CASEY
(poking Raph with bat)
I'm talkin' to you, pal. You think
you own these rooftops? Well, lemme
teach you a thing'r two.
(takes out bat)
Class is Pain 101. Meet your
instructor... Casey Jones.
It's getting serious. Casey's bat is suddenly wrapped by
Night's CHAIN, and pulled down. Raph's visor flips up.
RAPHAEL
(GRINNING)
You keep on playing with fire,
little man, you might just get
burnt.
CASEY
Raph?! Is that you?!
(scans costume)
What-what are you doing?!
THINKS)
Are you pretending to be...
ON RAPH - His eyes look around for an answer. Nothing.
CASEY
Why would you-
(finally gets it)
-oh.
(a beat)
So that would mean...
(then REALLY gets it)
-OOOHHHHHH!
Raph smiles... the first genuine one he's had in a long time.
RAPHAEL
Yep.
IN BG - The Burglar tries to get away. Casey and Raph both
spy him. Look at each other. Mischievously grin as we-
DISSOLVE TO:
(
(
52.
60 60
EXT. ROOFTOPS - LATER
CLOSE ON - The panicked face of the Burglar. CAM ROTATES to
show him hanging upside-down. CAM WIDENS TO REVEAL he's bound
by chains and dangling from a street lamp!
CAM PANS UP THE BG BUILDING TO REACH - the two old friends
sit perched on a high tower, surrounded by gargoyles. They
blend right in. Both masks are off.
RAPHAEL
I dunno, I just got tired of the
"nothing". Sitting around waiting
for some disaster to cross our
paths. Of us battling Utroms and
Triceratons or any other friggin'
creature... when there was still
some guy gettin' mugged 100 feet
above the lair. Just didn't seem
right. `Specially if we had the
means to do somethin' about it.
Raph twirls a billy bat between his fingers. Stops.
RAPHAEL
And we did... but turns out I was
the only one who was willing to do
it, tho. So I just saved up, bought
and tweaked a sweet bike, fitted
the costume and began moonlighting.
BEAT)
Papers called me "The
Nightwatcher", so I went with it.
C
ASEY
"And a legend was born". So what
was your handle before that?
RAPHAEL
I kinda liked "The Midnight
Marauder"...
CASEY
(makes an "eww" face)
Stick with Nightwatcher, ninja boy.
(THEN)
The guys ever catch on?
RAPHAEL
Pfft. You kiddin' me? Leo's been
away for, like, forever. And the
other two are so wrapped up in that
party business they'd never notice.
BEAT)
So what about you? How's things
with April? Haven't seen ya's since
you two moved in together...
53.
CASEY
They're good... I guess. I dunno,
seems like all I do lately is just
make her upset. She used to laugh
so much... now it's mostly just
working all day, and coming home to
point out how I'm a screw up.
(points to hockey mask)
She doesn't like me doing this. And
I know she's pretending to not know
I'm out tonight. But she knows. And
she knows I know she knows.
(looks out at city)
Life just kinda got complicated
suddenly... y'know?
RAPHAEL
Yer tellin' me...
Casey looks at his old bud.
CASEY
Raph?
RAPHAEL
Yeah?
CASEY
Nice to see ya, man.
Raph acknowledges. The moment is broken by a HORRIBLE SHRIEK!
CASEY/RAPHAEL
What was that?!
They both spring to their feet and run to the back of the
roof. They hear the scream AGAIN off in the distance.
RAPHAEL
For old time's sake?
CASEY
What the shell.
ON RAPH - He stops, mid-replacement of his helmet.
RAPHAEL
(DISAPPROVING)
Bro. Seriously.
EXT. ROOFTOPS
61 61
The two run and leap across the rooftops. Two vigilantes
searching for the source of the scream. They finally reach a
point where they don't hear it anymore.
EDGE OF ROOFTOP - They look out. Silent.
54.
CASEY
I think we lost it.
RAPHAEL
It's gotta be around here
somewhere.
SCREEEEECH!!! - A large VAMPIRE-LIKE CREATURE flies up from
the alley below and spreads its 30-foot wings!
CASEY/RAPHAEL
WAAAAAAAAAAAGGGHHHH!!!!!!!!
It's about to attack when - THUNKA-THUNKA-THUNKA - it's
drilled with TRANQUILIZER DARTS from below! CHOOOM! - A
grappling hook winds around its feet. The Creature struggles
but is pulled down hard!
CASEY
WHAT'S GOIN' ON, RAPH?!
RAPHAEL
Did I mention we ran into a monster
last week?
CASEY
NO. NO, YOU KINDA FAILED TO TELL ME
ABOUT THAT ONE, BUDDY!
They inch closer to the edge. Peek over.
ON ALLEY - See the Four Generals putting a pounding on the
Creature. They subdue it with all their hardware. The Foot
stand guard, helping in the BG.
CASEY
The freakin' FOOT?!
(looks to Generals)
What about the walking statues?
Were you going to mention THOSE?!
RAPHAEL
Nope. Those are a first for me too.
(gets cocky)
We can take `em.
One of the generals effortlessly picks up a TRASH DUMPSTER
and wallops the Creature with one blow.
CASEY
On second thought...
The Generals put the Creature in a cell. Wheel it to a
TRANSPORTER VEHICLE as it drives away. They're just about to
leave when-
S
HINK! - Casey accidentally knocks a tiny piece of rock from
the ledge. It falls down - CLANG! - on a garbage can lid.
6
R
G
55.
ON GENERALS - they turn around. Look up.
GENERAL GATO POV - He scans the two. Organic Earth-based.
ENERAL GATO
Witnesses.
Aguila snarls and fires the tranq gun! Raph dives in front of
Casey, taking the hit himself!
APHAEL
AAAARRGGH!!!!!
GENERAL AGUILA
(to Gato)
Fetch.
Gato SMILES as the other three board a Transport Vehicle.
CASEY
Not good.
Raph takes out NINJA SMOKE PELLETS and throws them on the
roof - FWOOM! When the smoke clears, Casey is standing there
alone! Raph is 10 feet away as Casey flinches and takes off
too.
NIGHTWATCHER
You ever heard of smoke pellets?
CASEY
Hey - you're the ninja, not me!
BOOM! - Gato lands up on the roof and quickly gives chase!
They can't lose him, even when they drop to street level.
EXT. NEW YORK CITY STREETS - MOMENTS LATER
2 62
Raph and Casey are tearing ass through the alleyways, trying
to escape the thing that's close on their tail.
CASEY
WHAT WERE THOSE THINGS, RAPH?!
Raph ignores him, looking for a street sign. Then he sees it -
56th Street.
RAPHAEL
Bingo.
Raphael quickly dashes left through TRAFFIC!
DOWN ALLEY BEHIND THEM - BOOM BOOM BOOM - We see Gato
bounding down the wall, almost in a four-legged run,
occasionally jumping off walls at incredible speeds! A true
jaguar. It leaps through the traffic as well.
C
56.
UNDER A BRIDGE - Raph points up and - CHOOP! - hits a remote
that lowers his MOTORCYCLE.
CASEY
What are we gonna do, Raph? WHAT
ARE WE GONNA-
(sees bike)
-hey, cool ride.
RAPHAEL
Hop on.
Raph leaves Gato in a cloud of dust... but not for long. Gato
clamors along... keeping up with the weaving bike! In the
fray, Casey looses his mask... as it gets trampled by Gato.
It's an insane chase, with Raph trying to lose him as Casey
swings his bat, trying to stave off the Stone General.
Suddenly - THUNK!
A circular OBSIDIAN BLADE lands in his wooden bat. He looks
at it.
CASEY
Um, Raph?
Raph sees the blade! They manage to switch positions in mid-
ride, with Casey driving and Raph in back. Raph throws kicks
and punches at their pursuer when he closes in.
The chase takes them to a PARKING GARAGE as they circle
upwards, Gato jumping from car to car, still on their tails!
ROOFTOP - They're trapped. He doesn't have a hope... aside
from jumping the bike to the next roof!
ASEY
T
hisiscrazythisiscrazythisiscrazy.
He lets out the clutch as they make the jump! WHAM! - Sparks
and crucial pieces fly off the undercarriage. They both look
back at Gato up and away at the top of the structure.
CASEY
SUCK ON THAT, ROCK FACE!
(Gato leaves edge)
THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT, PUNK!
...and then -thumpthumpthump- Gato JUMPS DOWN TOWARD THEM!
CASEY
Oh crap.
Casey guns it - BUT THE BIKE DOESN'T WORK ANYMORE - as Gato
is in mid-air, taking off. Casey grabs the weakening Raph and
drags him off.
C
57.
63 63
EXT. ROOFTOP BEHIND LARGE LETTER SIGN - CONTINUOUS
Gato lands and patrols the roof... almost SNIFFING them out.
Casey and Raph are barely hidden inside a rooftop shack.
Suddenly - BOOM! - Gato finds them. He tries to smash through
the steel door with his bare hands!
Raph leans his body into the door as a last ditch effort.
He's taking a pounding as the door is denting with each slam
by Gato. Casey tries to help as well.
Gato comes close to breaking in. Very tense. Then-
-the LIGHT on his exo-suit begins to STROBE. A signal. A
signal to return home. He surveys quickly... then runs off.
Casey and Raph fall out. Both shell-shocked.
ASEY
Okay, so it was great seein' ya
again, Raph.
(BEAT)
Raph?
ON RAPHAEL - He's got a dart in his shoulder, obsidian disks
stuck in his shell, and has collapsed unconscious.
CASEY
Gotta get you someplace safe, pal.
And then, then I need to go buy
some new undies.
CUT TO:
INT. APRIL AND CASEY'S LOFT APARTMENT - LATER
64 64
April is finishing up with her workout. She hears the fire
escape outside of the building and the window slide open.
APRIL
Casey, I think we need to talk.
(turns around)
I don't want- whoa.
OFF HER LOOK - Casey is standing there, bracing the near-
unconscious Raph, now without his Nightwatcher garb.
CASEY
Could use a little... help here...
RAPHAEL
(WEAK)
Hey April... how ya been?
M
58.
Raph passes out as we-
WIPE TO:
65 65
INT. TURTLES LAIR - KITCHEN
Splinter and the other three are finishing up dinner. They
close the pizza box.
ICHAELANGELO
My compliments to zee chef.
(BEAT)
Le brrrraaaaaaapp!
Mikey walks to the fridge of leftover birthday cake.
MICHAELANGELO
Anyone for dessert?
EVERYONE
(sick of cake)
NO!!
The phone suddenly rings. Don rushes over to the jury-rigged
payphone on the wall.
DONATELLO
COWABUNGA-CARL-PARTY-SERVICES-
Cowabunga-dude.
(face falls)
Waita-slow down April.
What happened to Raph?
(BEAT)
We'll be right there.
SMASH CUT TO:
INT. APRIL AND CASEY'S LOFT APARTMENT - LATER
66 66
ON WINDOW - One by one, Leo, Don and Mikey slip into the
window. They spot Raph on the futon, being tended to by April
M
and Casey. Mikey looks around.
ICHAELANGELO
Whoa... I am in the wrong line of
work. Nice pad, kids.
Don immediately starts checking Raph out.
DONATELLO
His vital signs seem to be okay.
(opens his eye)
Pupil dilation is normal.
Raph weakly pushes Donnie's head away.
C
59.
RAPHAEL
(WEAKLY)
Get the... frig offa me.
DONATELLO
Temper is normal too.
(to others)
He's going to be fine. Health-wise,
I mean. Otherwise, he's still the
same old Raph.
(BEAT)
Whoa.
ON RAPH'S SHELL - Two Obsidian Disks are wedged in his back
with a Tranquilizer Dart. Donnie wedges out the Obsidian Disk
with pliers.
LOSE ON - Disk. It's beautiful and deadly. Don examines.
DONATELLO
Some sort of stone... probably
obsidian, I think.
(CLOSER)
There's an engraving on it.
Looks... South American. Aztec? No.
It's definitely not Mayan.
April swallows hard.
APRIL
It can't be.
DONATELLO
What can't be, April?
April sits down on the floor with the disk. Trying to figure
things out. Casey leans down to her.
CASEY
Would it help things if I said that
we were being chased by a one of
those statues you collected for
that Winters guy?
ON APRIL - Her mouth is agape.
MICHAELANGELO
I'd say that's a big ten-four.
APRIL
(MUTTERING)
It's just a myth... a legend.
(CLOSER)
It can't be.
(
60.
CASEY
And I suppose that bringing up the
thirty-foot flying monster would
probably just push this over the
edge, huh?
ON APRIL - She slowly turns to Casey. Floored.
LEONARDO
What are you talking about Casey?
CASEY
Just some story this Winters guy
told us. It all started down in
South America. Long before the
Ashmecks and the Macaroons.
APRIL
Azteks and Mayans.
CASEY
That's what i said.
APRIL
Sit down, Jones.
(to group)
So there was this guy call Yaotl...
CAM PANS TO THE RIGHT - As it passes a FG element, the screen
dips to black. We hear sounds of a violent BATTLE. Monsters
shrieking. Blades clashing. April's retelling Winters' story.
DIP TO BLACK:
Everyone is gathered around as April finishes. Mikey, in
particular, is hunched over, intent. Casey, like before, has
fallen asleep. Silence for a beat. Then-
MICHAELANGELO
Well?! WHAT NEXT?!!!
APRIL
No one knows. The legend stops
there.
THINKS)
But it's just a legend.
Donnie studies the tranq dart under a magnifying glass of
April's.
DONATELLO
The micro-tech of this dart is
astounding. The molybdenum is of a
grade only found in a few select
markets... not to mention it's
current stock is going for a little
more than two-grand an ounce right
now.
(MORE)
L
D
L
61.
DONATELLO(cont'd)
(looks up)
What? I dabble in the market.
EONARDO
So what do we have? We have someone
with a lot of money.
ONATELLO
Access to technology... and the
means to produce it to exact specs.
RAPHAEL
Not to mention having a keen
interest in these monsters... and
them four stone jokers.
DONATELLO
If you ask me, it all somehow
points to Winters Corp.
LEONARDO
How do you figure that, Donnie?
Donatello looks up with MAGNIFYING GOGGLES on. Sarcastic.
DONATELLO
Hello? "Genius"?
(a beat)
Well, that, and the fact that this
part has a Winters Corporation logo
on it.
EONARDO
Do you think he's trying to
recreate the events from back then?
RAPHAEL
Well, what would you do with an
army of monsters?
MICHAELANGELO
Well, aside from having your own
wrestling league, I dunno... MAYBE
TAKE OVER THE WORLD?
LEONARDO
Do bad guys still try to do that?
DONATELLO
Yes, however they're usually
mortgage re-fi companies.
(THEN)
What about it, April? You just
finished working with the guy,
right? Does it make sense?
APRIL
Guys! It's a legend!
R
62.
MICHAELANGELO
Is that "legend" like the ginormous
freakin' hairball that attacked us?
APHAEL
Or "legend" like the moving statues
and flying creature that attacked
me n' Casey?
APRIL
Okay. Fine. I'll help for now...
until we prove you're all insane.
LEONARDO
Or until we prove Winters is up to
something more than collecting art.
DONATELLO
I'll work with April and see if
these Stars of Kikin she told us
about can give us any clues.
RAPHAEL
I say we just storm the castle and
face this jerk in person!
LEONARDO
Raph, that would be the worst idea
yet. We hang back. Analyze.
Formulate a plan, THEN storm your
castle. Are we clear?
Tense stare off between Raph and Leo. Raph moves anyway.
Casey stops him. Quieter moment.
CASEY
Raph. Don't do it, man.
(BEAT)
I spent my whole life running out
of rooms ticked off at the world. I
wish I could take most of `em back.
Sometimes, just takin' a breather
is the best thing to do.
ON APRIL - She's listening to Casey... maybe her man-boy is
growing up. Raph knows he can't win.
RAPHAEL
Yeah... whatever.
- and bolts out the door.
CUT TO:
A
63.
67 67
INT. SEWERS - MOMENTS LATER
Cam is moving fast... really fast down the pipes. Raph
EXPLODES into frame, running faster than us. He lifts up a
BACK PACK... He pulls it open, revealing his Night gear.
- as he grabs an overhead PIPE and flips up and outta sight.
EXT. STAR-FILLED SKY - NIGHT
68 68
We see the same stars we've been tracking move closer into
alignment... only now it means so much more to us. CAM
LOWERS, as we find ourselves-
6
9 69
INT. TURTLES LAIR - EVENING
Donnie looks through a thick book on ASTRONOMY.
PRIL (O.S.)
Think this is all of them, Donnie.
ON DOOR - April walks in, holding a 3-foot-high stack of
yellowed documents.
APRIL
I cleaned out my archives on
ancient South America. Might have
found something useful.
She takes out a hand-drawn map.
APRIL
A map of the stars, as recorded by
an Aztec Shaman. They pinpoint the
location of the Stars of Kikin...
even though the names changed.
DONATELLO
For use in an Aztec calendar.
(picks up map)
So, if we can cross-reference our
current star field, positioning of
the Stars of Kikin and backtrack
positioning based off of the Aztec
CALENDAR-
APRIL
-along with taking into account the
point of origin of the first
occurrence, we should know where
another portal could take place.
(to herself)
Max, what are you up to?
64.
Leo paces back and forth in the main area. Splinter walks in.
Mikey plays video games on the main TV.
SPLINTER
Leonardo, time cannot be moved
faster by wearing a groove in our
floor.
MICHAELANGELO
Seriously, dude. We're all
stressed. Try to chill.
LEONARDO
You're playing video games on the
possible eve of Armageddon, Mikey.
MICHAELANGELO
(INSULTED)
But I never said I was having fun.
Leo looks at the clock.
LEONARDO
Where's Raph?
SPLINTER
Leonardo, a true leader knows the
virtue of patience... and when to
stop exercising it.
DONATELLO
We're almost done, Leo. You might
want to go get him... If you can
find him, that is.
Leo looks at Splinter, clearly feeling leadership pressure
and Raph's absence makes it worse. He leaves the lair.
CUT TO:
EXT. NYC SHORELINE - NIGHT
70 70
Relatively peaceful. A few freighters off in the distance.
Tall dry grass rustles in the wind, as we see a-
- TREASURE HUNTER - A stocky middle-aged FAT MAN with a
clicking metal detector. Big goofy earphones cover his ears.
TREASURE HUNTER
(SINGING)
Monay, monay, monay, MONAYYYY
(really high-pitched, bad)
...monay!
POV FROM WATER - Steadicam shot, watching the man patrol
under the light of the moon.
W
P
65.
The clicking intensifies. He follows the signal for twenty
feet. Drops to the ground and digs the sand...
.
..and comes up with a old unopened CAN OF SARDINES.
TREASURE HUNTER
Pfft. Figgers.
He turns to leave the beach.
TREASURE HUNTER
Lousy metal detector. "Happy
Anniversary" present, my big fat
keister.
He HURLS the can of sardines over his shoulder. Only, instead
of hearing a tiny SPLASH from it hitting the water... we hear
a snarling CRUNCH and TINNY-CHEWING.
The man stops in his tracks. He turns his head around.
CLOSE ON - Man's face, eyes wide in shock. Cam pulls back,
slowing just as the crown of a GNARLY SKULL crests the bottom
of the screen.
PTOOEY! - The tin "key" is spit back onto the sand. He bolts.
TREASURE HUNTER
AAAAAAAAGGGHHHHH!!!!!!
CUT TO:
INT. WINTERS PENTHOUSE - NIGHT
71 71
It's dark. Barely lit in the hallways of the top private
floors of Winters Tower.
The camera travels the long and ornate hallways. Decorated in
a different sense than the main building... in a sense of
family, tradition and legacy.
ictures spanning centuries in age. Some photos. Some
portraits. Families. Loved ones.
72 72
INT. WINTERS STUDY - CONTINUOUS
Cam continues until we find a high-backed chair parked in
front of an oversized blazing FIREPLACE.
ON CHAIR - Winters sits. Tired. Sullen. Sipping brandy. Looks
above the fireplace and lifts his snifter in a toast.
INTERS
To picking up the pieces.
66.
ABOVE FIREPLACE - is a suit of armor... THE suit of armor of
none other than Yaotl the Conqueror. He looks at it with
heavy thought. Then-
WINTERS
What is it?
Winters doesn't turn around. Stays in E-FG. Cam adjusts to
show the shape of GENERAL AGUILA in the doorway.
GENERAL AGUILA
Two creatures remain, my lord.
A long beat. Winters closes his eyes.
WINTERS
Well, by all means then. Let's
finish it.
ON AGUILA - He squints. Deep in thought and not sharing.
CUT TO:
EXT. ROOFTOPS - NIGHT
73 73
Nightwatcher runs along the rooftops. He pauses. He lifts his
visor to feel the night air on his face. He sees WINTERS
TOWER in the distance... practically egging him on.
CUT TO:
EXT. PETE'S DINER - CONTINUOUS
74 74
Classic Diner design, Pete's Diner is closed for the evening.
The last light goes out.
INT. PETE'S DINER - CONTINUOUS
75 75
A greasy DINER COOK finishes cleaning up the tables. He
suddenly hears a noise in the back. Big CLANK.
KITCHEN - He walks to the back. He hears the noise... now
from inside the WALK-IN FREEZER. He slowly approaches it.
ANOTHER NOISE. He moves to open
INSIDE OF FREEZER - the door slowly opens. The man's face
peers in. His eyes go WIDE. He SCREAMS!!!
EXT. ROOFTOPS - CONTINUOUS
76 76
Nightwatcher hears the scream. Runs to the source and looks
down at Pete's Diner. Sees the commotion inside. Uses his
bolo chain and a power cable to form a ZIP LINE down the
street as-
67.
77 77
INT. PETE'S DINER - MOMENTS LATER
-KERSMASH! He goes through the front window! He stands, cat-
like. Ready for anything. The room is only lit by the neon
signage behind the counter. Suddenly -
Night creeps to the freezer. He can hear the CHEWING and the
SNARLING behind the thick door. He takes out a spiked brass-
knuckle. Ready. Places a hand on the door... and opens it.
ON DOORWAY - The creature is huddled over a pile of frozen
meat. Chewing with pieces flying everywhere. Disgusting. It
turns around - monkey-like and ferocious looking DEMON... but
"cute" in a bizarre kinda way. Music builds as go-
WIDER ON SIDE VIEW - Night stands there. The horrible demon
creature suddenly jumps out of the freezer too! Face off with
Raph as we realize-
-it's only THREE FEET TALL!
NIGHTWATCHER
Hey there little fella. All that
commotion for just little ole y-
The Demon SCREAMS! It jumps Night, slamming him to the floor
behind a row of tables!
NIGHTWATCHER (O.S.)
WAHH! OOOF! AAAGGH! OW!! WHOAAA!!!
Plates, glasses and utensils fly everywhere, smashing all
over the diner as the Demon pummels him.
CLOSE ON NIGHT - The Demon is jumping up and down, slamming
his helmeted head repeatedly to the floor! It lunges forward,
mouth open as Night backhands it with a PLATE. The Demon
jumps back and up, landing on a rotating CEILING FAN.
T
he creature lunges down again, but this time, Night is
ready. He fights back. Like fighting with a Chihuahua hopped
up on cocaine.
A break in the fight. The creature has disappeared. Night
knows he's there. He preps. Grabs his SMOKE PELLETS from his
pocket. And waits... until...
...the Demon swoops in for another attack! Mouth open, fangs
bared as Night tosses the smoke pellets inside!
WIDE - POOOMPH! POOOMPH! POOOMPH! The pellets explode in its
mouth, sending smoke shooting out of it's nostrils, ears and
eyes! It shrieks, flying out of the Diner!
A
68.
NIGHTWATCHER
(victory taunting)
Yeah! That's what I thought! Don't
mess with the Nightwatcher!
Night turns. His helmet is still on. He hits his LIGHTS on
the side of his head to see through the thick smoke. He finds
the DINER COOK huddled behind the counter. Night looks scary.
DINER COOK
Pl-pl-please don't hurt me!
NIGHTWATCHER
Whattaya talkin' about? I JUST
SAVED YOU!
DINER COOK
Please, sir. I have kids.
Night looks around. He sees the CASH REGISTER on the floor.
He picks it up, puts it on the counter.
NIGHTWATCHER
There ya go, pal. Make sure this is
safe. HEY - YOU HEARIN' ME?
DINER COOK
TAKE IT! JUST TAKE IT! DON'T HURT
ME, PLEASE!
NIGHTWATCHER
LISTEN! I DON'T WANT YER FRIGGIN'
CASH! WHY DOES EVERYONE HAVE SUCH A
HARD TIME BELIEVIN' I'M A GOOD GUY?
(points threatening)
I JUST SAVED YOUR STINKIN' LIFE!
Sudddenly - SHINK! - a THROWING STAR is lodged in the cash
register till! Night jumps. Looks out the window.
CAM PULLS WAY WAY BACK, REALLY FAST - Out the Diner and to
the rooftop across the street... and over the green shoulders
of LEO.
ll he sees is a panicked man and the large shape of
Nightwatcher standing over him, holding the register.
CLOSE ON LEO - He's fuming. Staring down at Nightwatcher. The
frustration of the last few days pent up inside of him.
B
ACK IN DINER - Night slowly lays down the register. Trying
to figure out his next move.
NIGHTWATCHER
This night just keeps gettin'
better n' better...
H
69.
Tense stand-off as... Night suddenly bolts out the back as
Leo bolts the roof in hot pursuit!
78 78
EXT. NEW YORK CITY STREETS - CONTINUOUS
Night tears down the streets and through back alleys. Leo
keeps up with him effortlessly, hurling an assortment of
THROWING STARS his way.
Night suddenly DASHES OUT into traffic! Jumping over passing
cars from roof to roof!
LEONARDO
Nice try, amateur.
Leo crosses the busy street while still maintaining his
secrecy. Zip lines through power lines, avoids an oncoming
bus, and flips back onto a cable.
e swings and manages to snag Nightwatcher in mid-leap!
LEONARDO
Oof! You're a heavy boy, aren't
you?
They both land on a fire escape, as Night clamors to the top.
Leo wastes no time in catching up.
79 79
EXT. ROOFTOPS - CONTINUOUS
The chase continues. Night giving it his all, and Leo keeping
up pretty easily. He throws Leo a pretty strong curveball,
and Leo barely recovers.
LEONARDO
Okay, someone's been training
pretty hard.
It begins to spit rain - and becomes a FRANK MILLER DOWNPOUR.
EXT. ROOFTOP DEAD END - CONTINUOUS
80 80
Night reaches an area that's a DEAD END. One side of the
buildings has a LARGE LETTERED SIGN facing away. Fills the
rooftop with silhouettes. No choice but to turn around...
...as Leo slows to a stop at the other end of the building.
LEONARDO
I want you to know that I
appreciate your intentions. But you
can't change the world like this.
INSIDE HELMET - All we hear is rain pouring. Raph can't hear
Leo - just sees him wagging his finger at him.
70.
NIGHTWATCHER
(to himself in helmet)
L
Oh god. He's lecturing.
EONARDO
(now audible)
...so I'm going to give you one
chance to just walk away and stop
this vigilante nonsense.
Leo unsheathes his two katanas. Raph can't hear him.
NIGHTWATCHER
(to himself in helmet)
Okay, Leo. Wanna play?
Nightwatcher drops TWIN BOLOS. He twirls them with
expertise... then motions for Leo to fight. Charge at each
other, running through the rain, weapons drawn.
They fight. Hard. And with expertise. Two masters duking it
out. It surprises Leo. It fills Night with more adrenaline.
There's a break. They circle like tigers. Renewing attacks.
Night knows every one of Leo's moves, and counters in turn.
LEONARDO
What? How did you-
...then he starts goading him on. Pushing Leo. Prodding.
Making him MAD. ...and then Leo fights back. HARD.
Night can't keep up. Leo uses every bit of his control,
restraint and expertise. He surgically slices the bind under
Night's helmet. He jumps on top of the vigilante.
LEONARDO
Goodnight, dark prince.
Leo UPPERCUTS Night, knocking his helmet off! His face
falls... IT'S RAPHAEL! Leo pales.
LEONARDO
R-raph?
(THINKS)
What?
But Raph doesn't feel like explaining. Refuses defeat.
RAPHAEL
AAAAAAAAGHH!!
He mule kicks Leo back. Leo tumbles back, still in shock.
They yell at each other through the pouring rain.
71.
RAPHAEL
You're so friggin' smug! You think
the world revolves around YOU,
dontcha? That we couldn't POSSIBLY
survive without the mighty and
powerful Leonardo to guide us
through our problems, HUH?!
(PACES)
Well, I gotta newsflash for ya - we
got along just fine without you.
LEONARDO
I was training! Training to be a
better leader! For you! Why do you
hate me for that?!
RAPHAEL
...and whoever said I wanted to be
led? I shoulda gone on that
training!
LEONARDO
Y
OU WEREN'T READY! You're impatient
and hot-tempered! And more
importantly... I'm better than you.
Raph stops in his tracks. Reaches behind his back... and
pulls out his TWIN SAIS. He flips them to the front.
RAPHAEL
Well, big brother, I'd have to
disagree with you on that one.
Raph takes a ready stance. Leo does too. And they fight.
Brother vs. brother. Katana vs. Sai. Technique vs. Heart.
EXT. ALLEYWAY - CONTINUOUS
81 81
In another part of the city, the Generals have caught the
Demon from Pete's Diner. As they carry him to the caravan,
their RADIO COMM goes off.
KARAI (O.S.)
The Foot report of strange activity
five blocks north of your location.
GENERAL SERPIENTE
The final creature.
EXT. ROOFTOP DEAD END - CONTINUOUS
82 82
Camera RISES UP until we reach the rooftop where Leo and Raph
continue to duke it out in the rain.
They battle. In the end, Raph becomes an uncontrollable ball
of anger, unleashing everything on Leo.
R
72.
It ends with Raph pinning Leo to the ground... holding a sai
MILLIMETERS FROM HIS EYEBALL!
Tense. Raph shakes. He looks like he's going to do it... then
stops. He collapses back. Almost ashamed of what he's done.
Leo just can't believe that Raph bested him. They pant
heavily. The rain dies down.
Raph RUNS AWAY, across a few rooftops. Away from his brother.
He suddenly STOPS and looks back at Leo, small in the
distance.
CLOSE ON LEO - A SHADOW suddenly falls over him. He looks up
to see the FOUR GENERALS surrounding him. He tries to fight
back... but is too wiped from Raph.
GATO POV - "reading" Leo on the ground. He frowns.
GENERAL GATO
It is neither monster nor human.
CLOSE ON AGUILA - He manages a small smile.
GENERAL AGUILA
Then he shall perfectly serve our
purposes... let us inform our
commander that the final creature
has been captured.
ON RAPH - He sees the commotion from afar... as Leo gets
TRANQUILIZED with the Generals' dart cannon.
RAPHAEL
LEO!!!
Raph runs closer as the Generals lower to the ground and
drive off. Raph jumps from rooftop to rooftop to try and
catch his brother.
RAPHAEL
L
eo!!! Hang on!!
But the Caravan is too fast, and eventually loses Raph.
APHAEL
NOOOOOOOO!!!!
Raph gets weak and collapses to his knees on the roof. The
sun begins to rise. He has to return to the sewer.
CUT TO:
INT. TURTLES LAIR - MORNING
83 83
April and Don are poring over books at the kitchen. Mikey
paces behind them. Raph storms in, barrels past them all.
S
73.
84 84
INT. TURTLES LAIR - TRAINING DOJO
Raphael walks to Splinter, practicing himself in the dojo.
Raph holds his Sais in one hand, his bolo chain in the other.
Clenches both tight.
SPLINTER
Raphael? What is the matter?
RAPHAEL
(RANTING)
I was out, and did... something...
something happened and I- ARRRGH!!!
Raphael picks up a HEAVY WEIGHT and hurls is across the dojo.
Splinter is unfazed, but he won't take any more.
SPLINTER
Raphael! Kneel.
Raph stops. Breathing heavy. Falls in line - walking to
Splinter and dropping to his knees in front of his father.
RAPHAEL
I did something... I did something
really stupid, Master Splinter.
SPLINTER
Go on...
RAPHAEL
(SEMI-RAMBLING)
I know why you chose him now. I
know that there's a reason why he's
the better son and I'm not.
(THINKS)
And I think I made things worse
tonight.
(beat - calming down)
A WHOLE lot worse... I know you
must be ashamed of me, father.
Raphael is lost in his guilt. Splinter kneels in front of
Raph.
SPLINTER
Raphael. You always bear the
world's problems on your shoulders.
It is an admirable quality when you
are a protector of others...
plinter gently lays a hand on Raph's shoulder.
74.
SPLINTER
But you must realize that while, at
times, you may not be my favorite
student, it does not mean that you
are my least favorite son.
Raphael looks up. Having not thought of it that way.
SPLINTER
You are strong, passionate and
loyal to a fault. These are the
merits of a great leader as well...
but only when tempered with
compassion and humility.
RAPHAEL
But Master Splinter, I messed up
big tonight... I mean BIG.
Splinter chews on this.
SPLINTER
Leonardo? R
APHAEL
(beat, ashamed)
Yes.
Splinter is grim. Nods. But he moves on.
SPLINTER
Well then, I believe your brothers
may be in need of a leader.
Raphael looks up. Finally, his shot. He holds his SAIS in one
hand, and his BOLO CHAIN in the other. Ninja Turtle vs.
Nightwatcher. He grips them both hard. He drops the chain.
RAPHAEL
Thank you... father.
Mikey bursts in the door, frantic.
MICHAELANGELO
Dudes. I think you're gonna want to
check this out.
(BEAT)
Where's Leo?
Raph and Splinter share a look. Raph has to tell the others.
INT. TURTLES LAIR - MOMENTS LATER
85 85
April and Donnie sift through their charts and calculations.
75.
DONATELLO
So, the first time that this portal
was opened, the Stars of Kikin
aligned...
(sketches on high tech
SCREEN)
...and that's why it occurred in
that specific South American
region.
(more doodles)
Now if we take into account the
continual rotation of the Earth
since then, as well as the gradual
celestial shift that's happened and
been recorded over... well, over
the course of that mountain of
books over there... we now know our
new location.
Donnie's drawn a NEW LINE from the alignment of the stars.
April elbows Casey to wake him up.
APRIL
Precisely at 40.748 degrees
latitude and -073.985 Degrees
longitude.
ON OTHERS - HUH?! Mikey air - calculates math in bg.
DONATELLO
New York City.
APRIL
Winters Tower.
DONATELLO
And the alignment is due to occur
in precisely-
(checks watch)
- well... tonight.
It sits in the room. Heavy.
MICHAELANGELO
But without Leo... what do we do?
No one answers. Splinter looks to Raph. Raph steps up.
RAPHAEL
We rescue our brother... and save
New York City.
Splinter stands to his side.
SPLINTER
Together.
CUT TO:
-
8
76.
86 86
EXT. WINTERS TOWER - SUNSET
DARK STORM CLOUDS gather over Winters Tower. A horrible
electrical storm is brewing.
INT. WINTERS LOBBY - CONTINUOUS
7 87
The lobby has changed. Shots establishing the jury-rigged
nature of Winters Tower.
- The large Aztec-like calendar on the lobby floor suddenly
SPLITS and slides open, creating a 100 foot circle in the
middle. Underneath is the TOWERS CELL BASEMENT.
-
The disk in the basement is suddenly RAISED up to the lobby
area, replacing the slick marble design with an antiquated
stone version. Only now, THIRTEEN CREATURE CELLS surround the
disk. Very ceremonial.
- Finally, Winters' office elevator LOWERS from high above.
He's in the actual ceremonial gear worn by Yaotl years ago.
He holds the helmet to his side. Very serious. He looks over
his now-ceremonial lobby... satisfied.
PUSH IN on one cell, as Leo sits hunched over, unconscious
and helpless...
SMASH CUT TO:
INT. APRIL AND CASEY'S LOFT APARTMENT
88 88
Quick shots of April and Casey gearing up. Casey with his off-
the-shelf sporting gear. April with sleek-looking Japanese
combat gear and weaponry.
They both emerge from their rooms, dressed to kill. Casey's
jaw drops as we scope out April.
CASEY
Wow.
APRIL
(models it)
Picked it up on my last trip to
Japan. You... like it?
CASEY
Oh... oh yeah.
They share the moment. Seeing what they forgot about each
other when they first met. It's enough for them to smile.
APRIL
Where's your mask?
M
E
77.
CASEY
(faking confusion)
Mask? What mask?
April runs into the other room and comes back with her hands
behind her back. She takes out a NEW MASK for Casey - cool,
crisp and a badass paintjob.
CASEY
No way...
APRIL
I was saving it for our
anniversary.
CASEY
(BEAT)
Thanks.
Almost awkward as Casey leans forward and is about to kiss
her... Then a MUSICAL TUNE (first bar of the TMNT series)
plays on a car horn outside, interrupting them again.
APRIL
That's our ride.
89 89
INT. VEHICLE - NIGHT
CAM PULLS BACK from the back seat. Everyone is in "the zone".
Splinter and Don sit in the back seat. Pulling further toward
the front, we see April and Casey.
nd on Raph in passenger seat and Mikey driving.
RAPHAEL
You know I ain't much on speeches.
(BEAT)
But we can do this. Leo, or no Leo.
(looks around)
Not because of our individual
strengths... but because of how we
function as a team.
ICHAELANGELO
I love you man.
RAPHAEL
Don't push it.
(to April)
April, this is going to be
dangerous. You sure you're in?
APRIL
I feel responsible, fellas. I found
the Generals for him.
O
78.
CAM CONTINUES TO PULL OUT - as the familiar jingle of
Cowabunga Carl fades in and we see the Cowabunga Carl Party
R
Van in full view.
APHAEL (O.S.)
Nice an' incognito there, Mikey.
MICHAELANGELO (O.S.)
Well, I didn't see you offering any
suggestions... besides-
(imitates Splinter)
- a true ninja can hide in plain
sight, my son!
SPLINTER (O.S.)
I heard that!
Van takes off as the CAMERA SLOWS in the street, watching it
drive away. NYC civilians point to the sky, worried. PUSH IN
on a TV/STEREO STORE WINDOW - Simon's Electronics.
ON TV - Broadcasting a news report. Weather alert. Black
clouds brew over head.
BUBBLY WEATHER REPORTER (O.C.)
Scientists are calling it the
fiercest storm of the new
millennium, with Dopler Radar
readings coming in off the charts.
Authorities are imposing a curfew
to avoid possible civilian harm.
Stay tuned for more in minutes.
FURTHER DOWN THE STREET - We see Winters Tower and the
darkest clouds of all beginning to collect overhead.
INT. WINTERS LOBBY
90 90
Winters stands with Four Generals in his office, overseeing
the portal. Ready.
INT. WINTERS GARDEN - MOMENTS LATER
91 91
Karai walks down the center path of the garden, flanked by a
DOZEN FOOT NINJA. She motions for them to take position.
KARAI
As ordered - no one gets in. No one
interferes. No one bears witness.
SUDDENLY - the security alarm from the front gate BUZZES.
Karai waits a beat. It buzzes again. She walks to the
SECURITY PANEL by the front gate.
N MONITOR - We see CASEY standing there, obscured by a LARGE
WOODEN CRATE IN FRONT OF HIM. Karai coldly opens the gate.
C
79.
KARAI
May I help you?
CASEY
Yeah, hey, I was supposed to drop
this off for Mr. Winters. If I
don't get this done, I am majorly
in the doghouse. You know what I'm
sayin', right? Right?
The two stare at each other as the CAM ANGLES BEHIND KARAI -
she's holding a KATANA SWORD behind her back!
AM DOLLIES OVERHEAD as we see that Casey is packing MAJOR
sports gear "heat" on his end too. Both don't let on.
KARAI
Please come in, then.
CASEY
Really!?
(beat - gets composed)
I mean, "but of course".
Casey wheels the crate inside. The gate closes only KARAI HAS
NOW DISAPPEARED! Casey opens the front hatch, revealing Don,
Raph, Mikey, April and Splinter.
R
APHAEL
Let's NEVER do this again.
(waves hand in front of
nose, glares at MIkey)
And who did that?!
MICHAELANGELO
What?! Why does everyone always
call ME out?
A long beat. Then...
SPLINTER
I apologize my sons.
Everyone looks at sheepish Splinter. A beat. Suddenly-
WIDER - The empty garden begins to move. CREEPY, as DOZENS OF
FOOT NINJA begin to rise out of the shadows and slink toward
our heroes, surrounding them.
KARAI makes a dramatic entrance, landing in front of April
and Casey. Tense beat.
CASEY
I suppose this is where we all take
out our sharp and pointy things?
KARAI
You suppose correctly.
W
80.
ON HEROES - As they all draw their weapons. HIGH ANGLE as the
Foot all draw theirs. Stand-off. Raph twirls his sais.
RAPHAEL
I am SO gonna enjoy this...
92 92
INT. WINTERS TOWER
Winters walks along all the cells - a final check. He
examines one of the cells.
PUSH IN - it's LEO. He's slowly waking up - groggy. Muttering
incoherently. He PASSES OUT AGAIN.
93 93
EXT. WINTERS PARK
We finally get to see how much of an ass-kicker Master
Splinter is. Same with April, who squares off against Karai.
They fight hard. April ends up cornered, about to be skewered
by her blade when...
-CLUNK! She wobbles and then passes out. When Karai falls out
of frame, she reveals CASEY JONES a hundred yards behind her
holding his HOCKEY STICK! April frowns.
APRIL
I had the situation under control.
CASEY
(SMIRKS)
You're welcome.
Mikey fights the most like Jackie Chan - comical maneuvers
backed by solid-hitting blows. Don uses his bo-staff in 1001
different ways, both offensively and defensively.
Casey is enjoying the hell out of it. High flying, adrenaline
rush. He even catches April checking him out, and vice versa.
April suddenly spots an opening to the front doors!
APRIL
Guys! Front door is open. Now!
They all charge the front door!
INT. WINTERS TOWER
94 94
Winters is happy. He looks up to the heavens. Checks a time
piece. Winters begins chanting ANCIENT MAGICK/SPELLS. Looks
up through the opening in the middle of the building.
INTERS
(THEN)
YESSSSSSS!!!!
81.
The cam PULLS UP through the building. Up over NYC. Through
the clouds... and into space until we pass all ALIGNED STARS.
S
PACE - The final star drifts into position. A LIGHT BURST
EFFECT travels down each star, headed to Earth.
BACK IN LOBBY - The light burst flies into the lobby and hits
the circle in the middle of all the monsters' cells.
ON CIRCLE - The pieces suddenly start to move around. Almost
like a sliding puzzle. Then they start to randomly SINK
further into the ground. Light pours out of them, until all
of them give way to create THE PORTAL.
POV OFFICE ABOVE - Each of the Thirteen Cells LIGHT UP to
acknowledge their contents. 1... 2... 3...
WINTERS
Finally... finally!
ON GENERALS - they're still. Emotionless.
The light sequence gets to Leo's cell... it doesn't light up.
WINTERS
What?
His mind reels. Looks down at the cells. Nothing. Then it
hits him like a ton of bricks. He turns to the Generals...
WINTERS
What did you do?!
95 95
INT. WINTERS LOBBY
Our six Heroes all tear into the lobby. They turn back, an
army of ninjas closing in on them!
MICHAELANGELO
What do we do, dudes?!
DONATELLO
I'm working on it.
Raph grips his sais with renewed strength. Casey looks
around, putting things together mentally. Tension builds!
RAPHAEL
We get ready for round two.
ON CASEY IN CORNER - He reaches into his back, takes out a
hockey stick and - SMASH!!! - kills a LOBBY VASE. Suddenly,
sirens blare as the OUTSIDE BUILDING SECURITY SHUTTERS SLAM
DOWN just like in Act I!
The Ninjas are locked out!
82.
RAPHAEL
Yeah!
Everyone high fives Casey. Except April. She smiles.
APRIL
Nice work, Jones.
CASEY
I have my moments...
DONATELLO
Look!
OFF DON'S LOOK - the mayhem builds at the other end of the
vast lobby. The cells are glowing. The portal worsens.
DONATELLO
And that would be the swirling
vortex to another world, I assume.
(BEAT)
Cool.
They all run over. Mikey runs to a cell.
MICHAELANGELO
Leo! Is that you?
RAARRGH! - A claw swoops out. He dodges out of the way.
MICHAELANGELO
I guess that would be a "no".
ON RAPH - He finds Leo!
DONATELLO
Out of the way, please.
D
on places a small EXPLOSIVE on a key lock. Raph pulls Leo
out. LIFELESS.
RAPHAEL
Hey buddy! Come on, man. Leo,
please wake up!
Raph holds Leo in his lap on the floor. Looks like Leo is
DEAD. Raph's head falls low, as...
LEONARDO (O.S.)
Wh-wh-what took you s-so long?
WIDER - Leo is alive. Coughs and slowly gets his strength
back. Stands up. He and Raph look at each other. Leo can only
imagine what Raph's been through to rescue him. A beat.
RAPHAEL
Listen, I - I'm sorry.
9
.
83.
Leo forgives him. Moment is suddenly broken by an OS
SMASH!!!!
ANGLE UP - As WINTERS is thrown out the window of his
elevator office! He heads straight for a sword wielding
BRONZE STATUE... particularly the sword part. Closer...
closer... and...
..just misses it. WHUMP! He crashes onto the floor.
MOTIONLESS.
ON GROUP - They just stare at him. Back up to the office,
nearly 150 feet above them.
ON BALCONY ABOVE - Aguila looks down. Snarls.
6 96
INT. WINTERS LOBBY
Winters' body still lays on the floor. This is bad.
CASEY
Is he... is he dead?
Mikey takes out a hockey stick from Casey's bag and pokes
Winters' limp body. Nothing.
MICHAELANGELO
Yup. He's WAY dead, dude.
WINTERS GASPS FOR AIR! Startles everyone in the room.
ON EVERYONE - Their faces all drop as Winters stands up in
his mini-crater, brushes himself off and is perfectly fine!
Winters' mind is racing a mile a minute. Doesn't even notice
those around him.
WINTERS
(GROANS)
Raph can't take it any more. He draws his sais and thrusts
them at Winters. THAT gets his attention. Winters looks up in
awe at seeing the mutated freaks in front of him.
WINTERS
Fascinating...
SPLINTER
Mister Winters. We mean you no
harm.
RAPHAEL
No harm?! Whatever! I'm about to
give you piercin's in places you
never imagined if you don't tell us
what's going on.
O
O
84.
WINTERS
We were so close... so close.
Winters collapses on the floor. Head in hands.
WINTERS
This was our chance. We could have
changed it all.
APRIL
We know everything Max. We know
you're trying to recreate what
Yaotl started 3000 years ago.
N WINTERS - He looks up. Sees April. Exhausted, as we-
WIPE TO:
EXT. FLASHBACK BATTLEFIELD - NIGHT
97 97
The same red-tinted battlefield we left in Winter's
flashback. Monsters are leaping through the hoards.
W
INTERS (V.O.)
There are things, Miss O'Neil, no
one could possibly know...
Camera pushes in on YAOTL and his Four Generals high on a
hill, surveying the action.
ON YAOTL - He takes off his helmet... IT'S WINTERS HIMSELF.
WINTERS (V.O.)
It was I who stood on that
battlefield all those years ago.
Winters/Yaotl looks out at the death and destruction. He
looks shocked, surprised.
A SHADOW falls over Winters body. He looks up - it's a
ceremonial SHAMAN from their enemies' camp.
WINTERS (V.O.)
And we had to pay a price.
The Shaman makes hand gestures, chanting. Winters is pulled
up in the air, and in a crackle of red electricity, we see
him become... grayer.
N GENERALS - Same electricity. Different effect. They
scream, slowly turned into STONE. Cracks form on their
bodies, light shooting out of it.
WINTERS (V.O.)
We were cursed that day. My four
comrades-in-arms were turned into
stone.
(MORE)
B
85.
WINTERS(cont'd)
Cursed to live on this Earth...
immobile... yet fully aware at all
times to ponder the crimes we've
committed.
ON WINTERS - He stands on the battlefield. Alone. As he
walks, the CAM MOVES around him. During this, we X-DISSOLVE
BETWEEN A FEW SELECT TIME PERIODS between then and now.
WINTERS (V.O.)
My curse was to live... forever. To
feel the pain of losing love time
and time again. Of boredom. The
pain... of time.
ACK IN PRESENT DAY. Winters stops walking...
WINTERS
We were doomed to live this way
until, as the Shaman put it, "you
corrected the mistakes of your
past".
(gestures to the lobby)
That's what this is about. Penance,
Miss O'Neil. Finally getting a
chance to right our wrongs.
GENERAL AGUILA (O.S.)
Our master fails to include crucial
points in his tale.
ON SHADOWS - The Four Generals thump forward.
GENERAL AGUILA
He fails to discuss the petrified
agony of three thousand years.
GENERAL SERPIENTE
Of the torture of taking CENTURIES
to merely blink an eye!
GENERAL GATO
Of watching the erosion of your own
body throughout centuries.
GENERAL AGUILA
So, while our great leader basked
in the warmth of the sun and the
glory of fresh air... we rotted in
the stone hell that lasted
throughout Wmillennia.
INTERS
My brothers, I-
GENERAL AGUILA
WE ARE NO BROTHERS TO YOU! Our
brotherhood was broken the day that
you condemned us to this eternity.
(
86.
ON DOORS - CAM PULLS BACK ALONG DOORS as each one is barely
forced open and dozens of Foot Ninjas pile in the lobby!
Karai comes to FG of group. Surveys as the scene continues.
GENERAL GATO
And now, our Master has tired of
feeding on the nectar of life. Of
loving his entire life. Of FEELING.
(gestures to portal)
So he prefers to end it all. End
HIS "misery" at the expense of
ours.
Aguila walks to the cells. The portal writhes in the bg,
sinking into the floor.
GENERAL AGUILA
But thanks to his cunning, his
technology, we are now capable of
LIVING... we have now become-
(close, creepy)
- gods.
GENERAL SERPIENTE
And we shall finish what we began
all those years ago. We will
finally have our victory.
GENERAL GATO
Even with one monster still free,
the curse can never be broken!
GENERAL AGUILA
(to Winters)
Join us. Join us Yaotl, and live a
life eternal with us at your side!
ON WINTERS - He waits. A beat.
WINTERS
Never. This was our opportunity! We
were wrong! Don't you understand?!
GENERAL AGUILA
NO! YOU WERE WRONG.
BEAT)
And you are weak.
GENERAL AGUILA
(to Karai)
Destroy them.
Karai sees Winters' condition. Clearly getting screwed by the
very beings who have been nothing but hostile toward her and
her Foot Clan. She suddenly GESTURES WITH HER HANDS -
military/ninja style.
87.
APRIL
What does THAT mean?
KARAI
It means we're going to help you.
WIDER - 40 Foot Ninja disperse around out of the building,
leaving Karai and 4 Foot Ninja behind.
KARAI
My soldiers will find the
thirteenth monster. And you will
bring it back here. Hurry - we
don't have much time.
Karai runs off. April looks over at Winters. He nods, still
hurting. April takes off after Karai, leaving Casey behind
with the Four Foot. They run out into the garden, just in
time to see the other Foot disappear into the night.
CASEY
I got shotgun!
BACK ON GENERALS - They move toward Winters! The Turtles
quickly look at one another. Know what they have to do.
They all leap in the way, standing between Winters and his
backstabbing Generals.
Aguila moves forward to Leo. Raph steps in beside him,
defiant. Then Mikey. Then Don.
RAPHAEL
If you mess with one of us-
(looks around)
-you mess with all of us.
Aguila smiles at their chutzpa.
GENERAL AGUILA
Challenge accepted.
97 The Portal worsens behind them. Sound and sight. The Eight 97
are ready to fight.
...and the fight BEGINS! The Turtles leap, pounce and strike
with all the exuberance and intensity they've ever had.
Winters moves to help the Turtles.
Suddenly a WALKING STICK across his chest stops him!
SPLINTER
They must face them alone. As
brothers.
Winters debates it in his head for a beat - WHAM! - a
tentacle from the portal slams down next to him!
88.
WINTERS
Alright. We have more important
things to do!
ON PORTAL - A small DEMON makes its way out of the portal!
Winters runs and flips through the air and then CLOBBERS IT
with his bare hands, sending it back down!
He lands on the other side.
WINTERS
Help me push the cells into the
portal!
Splinter does as the two masters also manage to lay some
smackdown on any emerging creature out of the portal.
CUT TO:
EXT. NEW YORK CITY STREETS
98 98
CASEY (O.S.)
This has got to be the suckiest
vehicle to save the world with.
- as the Cowabunga Carl van roars around the corner. Tinkling
musical notes chime along with the speed. Appropriately lame
and embarrassing.
INSIDE VAN - Casey drives, as April, Karai and Four Foot are
crammed in the back. Awkward silence.
CASEY
So... anybody from out of town?
W
E BEGIN TO INTERCUT BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN THE LOBBY FIGHT,
AND CASEY/APRIL MONSTER CHASE...
LOBBY - The combatants all pair off for their final battle.
Utter commotion. Mikey is paired with Serpiente.
Donnie is paired with the General Mono. He uses his quick
speed and expert staff against the hammer-weilding Statue.
Leo fights with Gato. He can't dodge him. He's too fast. Leo
lands a lucky blow, but Gato recoils - BOOM! Leo's knocked
shell-first into a large GLASS DISPLAY CASE filled with
swords and bladed weapons of all kinds.
LEONARDO
Come to daddy.
MOMENTS LATER - SMASH! - Leo steps out, ready for action.
Strapped with a dozen swords tucked all over his body. He
pulls them out randomly as needed throughout the fight.
C
C
89.
Raph and Aguila duke it out in and around the MONSTER CELLS.
It's a Jackie Chan-inspired sequence, where they have to be
aware of their environment to avoid defeat.
RAPHAEL
Sensei! How you guys doing?!
ON SPLINTER AND WINTERS - The portal is pulling the cells in.
About five more to go. Splinter also flips around and takes
out another demon trying to escape. Splinter actually seems
to be having FUN.
SPLINTER
Wonderful, my son. WONDERFUL!
BACK WITH APRIL AND CASEY - Rush the streets of NYC.
KARAI
My troops have located the final
monster. At the harbor docks.
ASEY
Oh, I got this one covered.
Casey GUNS IT for the pier, music tinkling. CAM ZOOMS AHEAD
THROUGH THE STREETS until it reaches the pier. CAM CRANES
over the harbor warehouses until we see -
- the 13th monster! Looks like a land-locked GIANT CROCODILE.
It appears unconscious - a hundred or so TRANQ DARTS sticking
out of it's back. The Van pulls onto the scene.
I
NSIDE THE VAN - Everyone is in shock. The ninjas look at
each other.
ASEY
Huh. Now there's somethin' you
don't see every day...
They pile out of the van.
CASEY
(off of monster)
Well, I guess we have to figure out
how to get handsome here back to
Winters' Tower.
KARAI
We should tie it to the van and
drag it back.
CASEY
Wow. You're... hard core.
ON CREATURE - A Foot Ninja stands next to the lifeless body.
As he turns his head he doesn't see THE CREATURE'S EYE OPEN!
90.
WIDER - The creature stands up as everyone turns to see. The
creature DOG SHAKES his hide, sending the tranq darts flying
everywhere! They slam into the walls like shrapnel.
ON FOOT - As they dive out of the way. One gets hit with a
dart in the chest. Looks down. Passes out.
CASEY
Incoming!
ON VAN - As they open the doors to act as shields as - THUNKA
THUNK THUNK - darts stick in the door!
ON CREATURE - He's now standing... and dying to chase
something. It GROWLS/SCREAMS as they all pile into the van!
Casey immediately throws it in reverse and starts peeling
back on the pier, barely staying out of the clutches of the
creature smashing the pier in front of them. Get to the end
and spin the vehicle around.
APRIL
FAST! GO FAST NOW!!!
Casey guns it, the 12-foot creature mere inches away!
STARS IN SKY - Karai sees the stars are slowly moving out of
alignment. Losing time fast.
BACK IN LOBBY - CRANE DOWN on Winters and Splinter. On the
last full cell.
ON PORTAL - A pair of LARGE EYES are threatening to come out.
In the BG, dozens of winged DEMONS fly around inside.
LEONARDO
They better hurry with that last
monster!
RAPHAEL
I'm sure my man Casey's got it all
under control...
LEONARDO
That's what I'm afraid of.
BACK WITH VAN - CLOSE ON CASEY'S FACE - As he's screaming his
guts out.
CASEY
I GOTTA TELL YA... I'M, UH, I'M
STILL NOT SURE THAT THIS WAS THE
BEST IDEA!!!!
WIDER - We see that he's on top of the Van, acting as LIVE
BAIT to attract the creature! It's working too! The creature
pounces along like an awkward greyhound run. April drives.
R
91.
Casey is throwing SPORTS EQUIPMENT at it from his large
hockey bag. The creature is catching and eating it all.
INSIDE VAN - Casey slips in.
APRIL
What are you doing in here?!
CASEY
Ran outta food.
They all look out the back window as the creature pounds
closer and closer...
BACK IN LOBBY - The Turtles and Generals are at a standstill.
Turtles all get thrown into a pile between the Generals.
APHAEL
Listen. I'm the last guy to sound
like a TV cartoon, but I think we
need to work together.
MICHAELANGELO
Teamwork. The more you know...
Don clocks Mikey behind the head.
LEONARDO
(TEASING)
Why Raph, no solo act tonight?
Raph grins. They stand, backs to back... finally as a TEAM.
They trust one another, and their efficiency shows.
ON PORTAL - More tentacles begin to come out. More claws
surround the surface edges.
ON TMNT - The music swells. The brothers act and think as
one. The way they should. They way they will from now on.
ON SPLINTER - As cam PUSHES IN, he stands up. Seeing his
sons. As one. As BROTHERS. He smiles.
SPLINTER
Yes. Yes, my sons.
The Generals can't keep up. It's enough to distract them to
make mistakes the TMNT take advantage of.
ON WINTERS - Sees the portal light beginning to SHRINK!
Because of the TMNT's moves, the Generals are now on the
precipice of the Portal, being pulled back. They struggle to
stand.
The brothers look at each other. The place is violent with a
whirlwind and screaming Monsters.
T
92.
RAPHAEL
So who wants ta call it a day?
LEONARDO
I'm in.
DONATELLO
Affirmative.
MICHAELANGELO
Roger dodger, dude.
The TMNT launch into their FINAL ATTACK - perfectly in synch
and take out each of the Generals, knocking them back into
the PORTAL! They're plucked out of mid-air by cloudy tendrils
and pulled back!
The Turtles collapse onto the floor, back to the portal.
Silent. Splinter runs over to them.
SPLINTER
My sons, I am so proud of you all.
Then - BOOM! - the Generals' ARMS slam onto the ridge of the
portal - BEGINNING TO CLIMB OUT! The Turtles jump back.
TURTLES
WAAAHHHHH/OHMIGOD!/WHOOAAA!!!
GENERAL AGUILA
Silly children. We are immortals
made of stone! The Earth has only
BEGUN to feel our wrath!
The brothers are screwed. They can't stop the Generals. Until-
BEHIND TURTLES - Glowing headlights grow larger. Closer. As -
KERSMASH!!! The Van flies through the lobby, musical chime
and all, being trailed by the Creature! April clips a corner
as the vehicle spins out of the path.
he Creature tries to stop, but can't on the marble floor. It
falls, sliding, clicking its claws trying to stop!
WINTERS
LOOK OUT!
Winters dives in and pushes the Turtles out of way as the
Creature flies in and knocks the Generals back into the
Portal! The Cloud Tendrils grab a hold of it and pull it back
into the Portal!
ON STARS - The Stars move out of alignment, ending the cycle.
ON PORTAL - It begins to close. The Generals struggle to get
out, only now, we see they are HUMAN... their curse broken...
and an eternity of pain and suffering ahead of them.
93.
Aguila tries to fight his way out of the portal.
GENERAL AGUILA
YOU CANNOT DEFEAT US! WE-
WHAM! - Raph and Leo team-roundhouse him back into oblivion!
RAPHAEL
I thought he'd never shut up.
WIDER - The portal EXPLODES in a upwards funnel. Silence.
MICHAELANGELO
HOLY CRAP!!!
RAPHAEL
WE DID IT!
TURTLES
YEAH! WHOOHOO! WE DID IT!
The brothers high five one another. Splinter smiles proud.
ON VAN - Dusty and smoking. The door clangs open. Casey piles
out. Karai comes next and accidentally FALLS on Casey in a
very compromising position! She slyly smiles. April falls out
last beside them.
CASEY
(caught - looks at both)
Oh. I, uh -
HUHN! - Casey tosses Karai off of him. April's eye cocks.
APRIL
Don't try to tell me for one second
that you didn't enjoy tha-
Casey just grabs her, cutting her off and they kiss. Like
they should have been kissing all along.
They stop. Noses close. Smile. They pull apart, revealing
MIKEY standing there. Watching them all gooey-eyed.
MICHAELANGELO
AWWWWWW....
Raph and Leo look at each other. A beat. Then hug. Brothers
again. Dialogue would just ruin this moment.
Splinter walks over to them. CAM ADJUSTS to show Karai and
the Foot Ninja standing there. Silence. Finally, Karai steps
forward -
KARAI
You are every bit the warriors I
was informed you were. You have
passed.
94.
ON TMNT - they're confused.
LEONARDO
Passed what?
RAPHAEL
You know us?
KARAI
I've known OF you for some time.
(beat, to Leo's question)
Savor your victory tonight. For
soon we will have further business
together.
SPLINTER
What kind of business?
KARAI
The kind that involves familiar
faces from your past...
ON TURTLES - They all look at each other.
RAPHAEL
She doesn't mean...
They look back - and see Karai and the Foot have DISAPPEARED.
Raph looks over at WINTERS. He's hunched over in the corner.
Can't tell what's going on. They walk over slowly.
RAPHAEL
Winters?
ON WINTERS - Looks like he's sobbing. They get concerned.
Then the sobs turn to LAUGHING. He stands up. His hand is
spotted red with his M
own BLOOD from a cut on his cheek.
ICHAELANGELO
I'm never usually that happy to be
bleeding.
DONATELLO
You would be if you were an
immortal who couldn't bleed for
three thousand years...
Winters looks at all the Turtles.
WINTERS
Thank you. Thank you from the
bottom of my heart. You've made a
very old man, very very happy.
MICHAELANGELO
So, um, what happens now?
R
C
95.
ON WINTERS - He just SMILES. Content. Finally at peace. As he
ages thousands of years in front of us... eventually turning
to DUST and blowing away.
MICHAELANGELO
Okay... just a little bit creepy.
(SNEEZES)
Oh gawd. I think he's in my n-n-
ATTCHOOOOO!! OH GROSS!!!
CAM PULLS BACK, out of the building, onto the street. See the
destruction. The clearing skies. THE SUNRISE.
UT TO:
INT. TURTLES LAIR - EVENING
99 99
Raph comes to Splinter's room.
APHAEL
You wanted to see me Sensei?
SPLINTER
Sit down, Raphael.
RAPHAEL
Thank you, Master Splinter, for
your guidance.
(thinks, humble)
I can only hope that one day, I
will be able to begin the next
stage of my training like Leo.
Splinter smiles. Reaches into a box and takes out a similar
MEDALLION to the one given to Leonardo.
SPLINTER
That, my son, you already have.
(BEAT)
Our training works in mysterious
ways. But the answer that lies in
all our questions... is family.
Raph beams as he accepts the "badge". He excitedly stands up.
Splinter looks to the hallway where his eyes meet Leo's. They
exchange knowing smiles as Splinter winks and we-
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. TURTLES LAIR - LATER
100 100
A ROCKIN' NUMBER PLAYS as we cap everyone's adventures.
Splinter walks through the lair. It's empty. He walks past
their "trophy room". He places the ornate head of WINTERS'
CANE on the shelf.
L
S
96.
He sits down to meditate. But first reaches into his robe and
pulls out a TIN FOIL PACKAGE. He opens it up and smiles.
PLINTER
Ahh. Double chocolate fudge.
WIPE TO:
101 101
EXT. ROOFTOPS - NIGHT
Mikey and Don are on the rooftops. Leo and Raph join them on
top. Leo and Raph have an aside to themselves.
RAPHAEL
So we're cool with the whole
Nightwatcher thing?
LEONARDO
Yeah, we're cool. Our secret, bro.
(checks for clear coast)
You got rid of the stuff, right?
QUICK SHOT - Nightwatcher's gear burning in a barrel.
EONARDO
What about the bike, tho?
RAPHAEL
(discreet/confessional)
Okay, so I couldn't exactly destroy
the bike.
(BEAT)
Let's just say it's in good hands.
LEONARDO
What do you mean?
RAPHAEL
I mean, it's in good hands.
LEONARDO
(thinks, then realizes)
Oh, you didn't.
Raph sheepishly shrugs as we-
SMASH CUT TO:
EXT. NEW YORK CITY STREET
102 102
CASEY (O.S.)
WHAAAAAAAAAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
As Casey roars down the street on the black motorcycle of
Nightwatcher, barely able to hang on.
97.
He drives past WINTERS TOWER - now being converted to a
NATURAL SCIENCES AND HISTORY MUSEUM.
103 103
EXT. NEW YORK CITY STREET
A HITCHHIKER THUMB comes into frame. Casey stops his bike.
WIDER - It's April. She smiles. Casey hands her a helmet.
APRIL'S POV INSIDE HELMET - We see a small DIAMOND RING taped
to the visor. She takes it off. Beaming. Models it on her
hand. She leans forward.
APRIL
...yes.
She wraps her arms around his waist and holds tight for the
adventures that await...
CAM FOLLOWS for a beat, then rises up the buildings to-
EXT. ROOFTOPS - NIGHT
104 104
All four turtles are horsing around. They get geared up...
and head off for a game of NINJA TAG.
The boys run, hoot and holler as they fly high on the
rooftops.
RAPHAEL (V.O.)
So what makes a family? Personally,
it's more than sharing a roof or a
bathroom. It's sharing life... My
father taught me that, and I think
it's pretty much true... y'know,
provided that you don't kill each
other in the process. Or that no
one touches your stuff. Or makes
loud noises when you're trying to
sleep. Or...
They run close to the camera, once again, a family.
RAPHAEL (V.O.)
Hey, nobody said it was easy.
And as RAPHAEL and LEONARDO leap toward camera, we-
CUT TO BLACK:
THE END
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